Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bodine wins trucks opener

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Todd Bodine held off Kyle Busch to win the opening NASCAR truck race of the season at Daytona International Speedway on Friday.

Bodine became the first repeat winner in the event’s 10-year history, fending off a pair of last-lap moves by Busch to take the 250-mile race by a few lengths.

The victory was the fourth straight win by Bodine’s No. 30 Toyota in a restrictor-plate race.

Busch, who won three truck races while running a part-time schedule last year, tried to dip below Bodine on the final lap but couldn’t find any room to squeeze past.

Defending series champion Johnny Benson finished 26th after getting caught in a nine-truck pileup about halfway through. Ron Hornaday, a close second to Benson in points last year, was fifth.

Nationwide Series

Kevin Harvick won the pole for the Nationwide Series race today at Daytona International Speedway, edging Matt Kenseth and Clint Bowyer for the top starting spot.

Harvick turned a lap at 180.799 mph in a Chevrolet. Kenseth was second in a Ford with a lap at 180.448, and Bowyer was third in a Chevrolet at 180.097.

Jason Leffler was fourth, followed by Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle.