- (Sports Network) - Mike Skinner captured the pole for tonight's season-ending Ford 200 Truck Series race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway and the final event for Craftsman as the series title sponsor. The No.5 Toyota driver circled the 1.5-mile oval in 32.221 seconds (167.593 m.p.h.) The pole victory was Skinner's fourth of the season and the 47th of his career, extending his pole record in the series.

"When they brought the spacer plate along, it's now at these big race tracks where everybody is holding it wide open," Skinner said. "And Homestead is one of those race tracks it's hard to hold wide open, and we were able to do it. I guess that's why we're on the pole."

Meanwhile, the battle for the championship will be settled at Homestead as Johnny Benson enters the race with only a three point lead over defending series champion Ron Hornaday, Jr., making it the closest margin heading into the season-finale.

Hornaday, Jr. will start fourth after posting a time of 32.381 seconds.

"We know what we've got to do," Hornaday said. "Knowing Johnny, they've got their truck a lot better, so I'm looking forward to a good race."

If Hornaday captures the title, he will become the series' only four-time and back-to-back champion, as well as NASCAR (web|news) 's oldest national series titleholder at 50 years, four months and 25 days. Ted Musgrave became NASCAR's eldest champion when he won the 2005 Craftsman Truck Series title at 49 years, 11 months and one day.

Benson is aiming for his second NASCAR national series title as he has won the Nationwide championship in 1995.

Benson will roll off four spots behind Hornaday in eighth.

"Our truck is decent but still a little loose right now," he said. "It's a lot better off than it was yesterday. Let's just hope we race well."

Greg Biffle is the only driver to win both a Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series title.

Benson is the defending winner at Homestead.

Hornaday entered last year's season-finale 29 points behind leader Mike Skinner, but Skinner lost the title when he suffered a flat tire early in the race and then encountered another wheel problem during the mid-stages, resulting in a 35th-place finish. Hornaday came in seventh and ended the year 54 points ahead of Skinner.

Joining Skinner on the outside pole will be Colin Braun (32.225). Sprint Cup regular Kevin Harvick (32.300) will start third.

Craftsman is ending their 14-year sponsorship with the Truck Series at the conclusion of this season. Camping World will serve as the series title sponsor starting in 2009.

The green flag for tonight's race is scheduled to drop around 8:00 p.m. (et).























































































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