Benson Wins CTS Championship

Johnny Benson finished seventh in the Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, one spot ahead of Ron Hornaday to win his first Craftsman Truck Series championship.

Hornaday trailed Benson by four points heading into the race, and led early. But, a two-tire gamble by Benson put him in the lead, ahead of Hornaday. The two raced for the lead, with Hornaday eventually getting by him.

With 10 laps to go, the caution came out when Mike Skinner cut a tire. Hornaday pitted while Benson stayed out. Despite a green-white-checker finish, Hornaday could not pass Benson.

Benson won the championship by seven points.

SHR Hires DEI’s Gibson, Hutchens

Stewart Hass Racing announced that it has hired Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s VP of Competition, Bobby Hutchens, to serve as SHR’s director of competition.

The team has also hired Tony Gibson, crew chief of the No. 8 team, to be crew chief of SHR’s No. 39. U.S. Army team and driver Ryan Newman.

NASCAR Suspends Testing For 2009

NASCAR announced that it will suspend testing in all of its series in 2009 in an effort to help teams save money.

As part of the new policy, teams will not be allowed to test at any track that holds a NASCAR sanctioned event in the three major series and two regional series.

Goodyear will still conduct its tire tests, and NASCAR will allow testing in extrem situations like the disasterous race and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Reaction was mixed for the ban, some drivers praised it while others didn’t like the idea.

The move is could save teams as much as $1.5 million per car per year.