(AP Photo/Ralph Lauer)
Ron Hornaday Jr. enters the weekend at Phoenix International Speedway with a 197-point lead over Matt Crafton and more than 300 points more than Mike Skinner.
Two scenarios clinch the title for Hornaday. He needs to finish 22nd or better in the last two races or leave Phoenix with a lead of more than 195 points. A win could be considered a long shot for the No. 33 since he has not won at PIR since 1999, but he does have the snakebite of last fall’s race to atone for.
The rattlesnake didn’t stay on the mountain at PIR in 2008
A series of problems plagued Hornaday and Johnny Benson at Phoenix International Raceway last fall leaving the duo in 25th and 26th place at the finishes. The two were in a tight battle for the truck series title, and, in events reminiscent of last week’s race at Texas for Jimmie Johnson, opening lap contact took them out of the running for the win at PIR.
Starting from the pole, Hornaday raced side-by-side with Busch into Turn 3, and as the trucks rolled through the corner, the rear of Hornaday’s Chevrolet slid out and spun. Leaving the then defending series champion slamming nose-first into the outside wall.
Hornaday’s truck then slid down the track, to be slammed by J.R. Fitzpatrick’s Chevy. Benson’s Toyota sustained damage on the right side as it clipped Hornaday’s crippled truck on the way through the melee.
How this week’s race shapes up
Pay particular attention to who gets the pole, as the pole sitter has gone on to win the race a record five times at PIR.
The deepest start to then go to Victory Lane was a 16th place start by Mike Skinner in 1995.
A tight race to the finish is likely, as four of the last five races have been decided by less than a second.
Todd Bodine may be a safe bet for the win, with an average finish at PIR of seventh, though some spoilers are on the entry list. Most notably, Kevin Harvick will be driving the No. 4 truck and Kyle Busch is in the No. 51 once again.
Three drivers will make their series debut in Phoenix: Brad Sweet (No. 90); Robbie Brand (No. 23); and Kevin Conway (No. 71). Colin Braun in the No. 6 will be making his 50th series start on Friday.
Camping World Truck Series qualifying will be Friday on SPEED at 4:30pm ET.
The CWTS Set Up show will follow at 7pm ET, with the race following a half an hour later on SPEED as well.
For more information on NASCAR Truck Series racing, check out:
Veteran Terry Cook vs rising star Brian Scott: The nature of NASCAR racing today, part one
Terry Cook out effective immediately
Just announced: Brian Scott leaving the truck series in 2010
Justin Lofton making the move to Red Horse Racing
Janelle is a native of Southern California who follows a variety of racing formats. She finds the competition between hard-driving veterans and rising stars in the NASCAR Truck Series some of the best in the top tiers of racing. Janelle has been published in print and online, covering topics in both sports and academics. She also serves as the Southern California Motorsports Examiner. Send Janelle an e-mail, and follow her on Twitter. Join the discussion at the NASCAR Truck Series Examiner Facebook page as well.
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