Johnny Benson and his Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Tundra team headed to Atlanta Motor Speedway with high hopes.  Benson captured the pole for a NASCAR Cup Series event at Atlanta in 1996, and he was victorious in a NASCAR Nationwide Series event at the Georgia track in 1995.  Benson expected similar success in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Rain postponed much of the Craftsman Truck Series practice session Friday, so Benson and the rest of the field were forced to prepare their trucks during one practice session.  After practicing rather well, Benson and his No.23 team were ready for their qualifying attempt that afternoon.  Benson qualified his Tundra in the 13th position after running a time of 31.994 seconds.

Benson immediately made his way though the field after the green flag waved for the 130-lap event Friday night.  He fought his way into the top-10 by lap 10, and it seemed his hot streak this year would continue at Atlanta.  However, Benson’s right front tire blew out on lap 18.  The propelled the truck into the wall and forced Benson to go to the garage area for repairs.

The crew worked quickly and diligently on the truck and returned the No. 23 TCUV Tundra to the track on lap 38.  The team was 20 laps down to the leader.

Benson remained calm and made up as much ground as possible.  That task was easy, as Benson piloted the quickest truck on the track throughout the remainder of the race.  Benson finished the 200 mile race in the 30th position.

Benson and the rest of the Craftsman Truck Series will head to Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in two weeks.  The race will be televised live Saturday, March 29 on the FOX Channel.