The 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series looks like a rerun of 2008.
In fact, you might call it a carbon copy.
Todd Bodine (No. 30 Germain Racing Toyota) successfully defended his Daytona International Speedway victory and — most recently — Kyle Busch (No. 51 Miccosukee Resorts/NOS Energy Drink Toyota) won the Feb. 21 San Bernardino County 200 for the second consecutive season.
After an off-week in the schedule, both drivers head for Atlanta Motor Speedway’s March 7 American Commercial Lines 200 occupying the same positions they held 12 months ago.
Busch, counting five more bonus points than 2006 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Bodine, heads the points standings 370 to 365. Each has a second-place finish.
Busch is the defending winner of the American Commercial Lines 200, a victory that allowed him to retain the standings advantage through the first four races of 2008. The 23-year-old Las Vegas driver, who became the first to capture a pair of NASCAR national series races on the same day at Auto Club Speedway, has won three times at the Hampton, Ga., track.
Bodine, however, isn’t to be outdone, having won the 2006 edition of the race.
As for Busch, the turning of the calendar hasn’t cooled his NASCAR Camping World Truck magic. His Auto Club Speedway finish was the driver’s 10th straight among the top 10 — a streak that includes a pair of victories.
Busch’s efforts last season boosted team owner Billy Ballew into the No. 3 spot in final series owner points. Ballew, who now counts wins in six straight seasons, figures to be a serious title contender again.
“Billy Ballew is a great part of this deal,” said Busch following his victory. “He makes it happen for us. For Billy to keep carrying this deal like he has and keep giving us the opportunity to have fun; that means a lot.”
Motocross Champ Carmichael Excels On Four Wheels
You might say Ricky Carmichael (No. 4 Monster Energy Drink Chevrolet) is a fast learner. But with a record 15 American Motorcycle Association motocross championships in hand — plus a solid season of four-wheeled competition in the NASCAR Camping World Series East — it’s not surprising that Carmichael logged a top-10 finish in just his second truck race.
Carmichael, who qualified third for the San Bernardino County 200, finished eighth.
“It was an awesome run; he did a great job all weekend, qualifying and race,” said his veteran crew chief, Billy Wilburn, who oversees the Kevin Harvick Inc. team. “To say that it was expected would be wrong.
“I would say before the year’s out, you’ll have yourself a Raybestos Rookie (race) winner.”
Carmichael, whose next race is April 25 at Kansas Speedway, was pleased with his performance but agreed there’s plenty of learning yet to be done.
“I’m super-pumped and I learned a lot,” he said. “I wish we could have done better for (KHI) but personally, I’m happy.”
Carmichael has a pair of aces in the hole — Harvick and teammate Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet). He followed three-time series champion Hornaday into the top five at one point after Harvick radioed Carmichael to pick up the pace.
“I just feel comfortable around Ron,” Carmichael said. “I didn’t even know I was fifth so that was pretty neat. But I knew if I was up there (with him) I was going to be able to learn a lot.”
In The Loop
Last season, Todd Bodine and Kyle Busch finished 1-2 at Daytona. The following week at Auto Club Speedway, Busch won and Bodine finished second.
The exact same thing happened in the first two races of this season.
But there’s one major difference further down the running order. Defending champion Johnny Benson is way down the list.
After two races last season, Benson was third in points. Now, he’s 19th.
The statistics tell the story:
At this point in 2008, Benson had a Driver Rating of 101.8. This year he has an 80.7.
His Average Running Position after two races was 7.6. This year it’s 14.1.
Last year he had a series-best Pass Differential of plus-52 (passes minus times passed). This year it’s plus-3.
Last year, 85% of the laps were spent in the top 15. This year it’s down to 58%.
On the other hand, Busch has improbably improved. Last Saturday’s perfect Driver Rating of 150.0 pushed his season-to-date rating to a series-leading 134.6. Additionally, he leads the series in Average Running Position (4.6), Pass Differential (plus-45) and Fastest Laps Run (38).
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