Erik Darnell edged Johnny Benson at the finish line to score his second career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory Saturday in the Cool City Customs 200 at Michigan International Speedway.
The win was the first for Ford on this year's truck series and the 17th NASCAR victory for Roush Fenway Racing at MIS.
The last lap drama was set-up when the field took the white flag and Kyle Busch sent Ron Hornaday spinning through turn two.
The series point leader slid through the infield and back on to the track but the caution did not fly.
At the front of the field Darnell and Benson raced side-by-side down the backstretch and through turns three and four as they headed for the checkered flag.
Benson dove to the inside and headed toward the apron while Darnell stuck his truck to the outside and the duo crossed the finish line virtually even.
NASCAR officials reviewed the finish line photos and videotape and finally ruled Darnell the winner by .005-seconds.
"Johnny raced me real clean and that's what truck racing is all about, this is exciting stuff," said Darnell. "We've had some strong runs this year, been close a couple of times, but haven't been able to pull it off. To finally get that win is going to help the team out a lot."
The third generation driver gave team owner Jack Roush a thrilling end to his day, which started when he participated in the pre-race flyover.
“I think the finish was a little more exciting than I wanted it to be," Darnell said. "The way these trucks side-draft, I knew he’d be able to suck up to me. That’s what he did, but I did the same thing to him and wound up just winning by a few inches.”
Benson could only shake his head after the exciting finish.
"Just look at the TV there,” he said. “That just hurts, bad. I could say that’s probably the first time I’ve been on the losing end of something like that. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to do it again.”
Scott Speed, Todd Bodine and Brendan Gaughan rounded out the top five.
Hornaday went to confront Busch and his team following the race in a scene that included some shoving as well as harsh words.
"If he is going to race that way, that is pretty chicken," Hornaday said. "He doesn’t deserve to be a racer. He has a lot of talent, but that is just flat stupid. If Billy Ballew needs a championship that bad for owner’s, he can drive that way, he has the right driver.
“I don’t knock any other driver, but I will tell you what, that kid, has just about done wore me out. I don’t know if I have to give up this championship to teach him a lesson, I hope I don’t hurt him, because if Joe Gibbs lets him do this, I am ashamed for them. I tried to talk to him as a friend. He is just out there, I don’t know what it is. I guess it is an ego trip and if he is going to wreck me every week, I guess we are going to have to do it back to him.”
Hornaday's problems led to a 23rd-place finish and he lost the series point lead to Benson with Bodine now second.
The Craftsman Truck Series now heads to The Milwaukee Mile next Friday evening.
