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Benson wins at Milwaukee Mile again

Jun 21, 2008 - 6:37 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Johnny Benson must love coming to the Milwaukee Mile.

Benson's Toyota took the checkered flag, winning for the third consecutive time at this short oval in Friday's Camping World RV Sales 200.

Currently the series points leader, Benson became just the fourth driver in the Craftsman Truck Series to win three straight races at one track.

Benson, who started on the pole position, led 128 of the 200 laps on the night en route to his first victory of the season and 10th career.

After lightning in the area delayed the race for nearly 30 minutes, Benson led the final 50 laps and was never in danger of being passed in the closing laps. Benson has finished in the top three in each of the last three races this season.

"We definitely thought we had something for (Benson)," second-place finisher Matt Crafton said. "I was begging and pleading to go back racing when we had that little lightning scare there. I was wanting to go back."

It was the second time in his career that Benson won from the pole position. The only other time came at Phoenix in 2006.

The Chevrolets of Crafton and Landon Cassill finished second and third, respectively. Erik Darnell placed fourth in a Ford and Todd Bodine's Toyota rounded out the top five.

"We just worked really hard on the truck and passed a lot of people all night," said Cassill, who started 23rd. "The truck was nice and free so I could get to the bottom and just roll by people."

Bodine now trails Benson by 50 points in the standings.

Three-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. finished seventh on his 50th birthday.

"We lost track position in that deal early in the race but we were able to make that up," reigning series champion Hornaday said. "At the end, I tried to make a run to the front towards the end, but just couldn't get there. There is a lot of racing left this season, so we will just go get them next week."