Phoenix: Toyota/Bodine championship report

TUNDRA DRIVER TODD BODINE TAKES SECOND TRUCK SERIES TITLE
First Toyota Driver to Win Two Titles

AVONDALE, Ariz. (November 12, 2010) -- Todd Bodine won his second career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driver's championship when he registered a 12th-place finish in Friday night's race at Phoenix International Raceway.

The finish enabled Bodine to take a lead of 202 points over second-place Aric Almirola in the point standings -- and 195 points being the maximum number available in next weekend's series season- finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Bodine, driver of the Germain Racing No. 30 Tundra, won Toyota's first driver's championship in NASCAR's three premier series with his NCWTS title in 2006.

"During the past five years, we have been one of the most consistent teams in the Camping World Truck Series," says Bodine. "I can't thank the guys on this Germain Racing team enough for all their hard work over the years, both at the track and in the shop. We've had some ups and downs since our 2006 championship, but this one is extra special to share with the Germain family, the Hillman family (crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. and general manager Mike Hillman) and all the sponsors who have supported us throughout the year."

En route to his 2010 championship, Bodine won four races at Darlington Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway and Texas Motor Speedway. In addition, the 46-year-old driver recorded 16 top-five finishes and 19 top-10 results in 24 races. The Chemung, N.Y.-native has also led 461 laps and he clinched the championship after 24 of 25 races this year.

"Since our first year competing in the upper levels of NASCAR in 2004, Todd and the Germain family have been an integral part of the Toyota program," says Lee White, president of TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development). "They have consistently competed for race wins and championships, and Todd and the Germains have been great ambassadors for Toyota both on and off the track. On behalf of all our associates at Toyota and TRD, I would like to congratulate Todd and the entire No. 30 Tundra team for another remarkable season."

This marks the fourth NASCAR driver's championship for Toyota since the manufacturer entered the sport in 2004. In addition to Bodine's two titles, Johnny Benson won the NCWTS crown in 2008 and Kyle Busch won the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) championship.

This year, Tundra drivers have won 14 of 24 races. In addition to Bodine's four wins, Kyle Busch registered victories at Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Texas Motor Speedway. Almirola won twice (Dover International Speedway and Michigan International Speedway) and Timothy Peters captured the checkered flag in the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.

-source: toyota motorsports