Toyota Motorsports notes, quotes 2008-11-12

HOMESTEAD HISTORY: Tundra drivers have had a great deal of success in NCTS competition at Homestead winning two of the four NCTS races they have competed in at the track, including wins last year (Johnny Benson) and in 2005 (Bodine). Tundra drivers have also captured the pole position three times. Current Camry driver Reutimann earned back-to-back poles in 2004 and 2005, and Mike Skinner started first at the Florida track in 2006.

PHOENIX FINISH: Four Tundras finished among the top-five Friday night in Phoenix -- Busch (second), Bodine (third), Brian Scott (fourth) and Skinner (fifth). Other Toyota drivers in the field included Terry Cook (11th), David Starr (13th), Speed (14th), Jack Sprague (17th), Michael Annett (18th) and Kenny Wallace (22nd).

BENSON BATTLING: Benson finished 26th at Phoenix and heads to the season-finale at Homestead with a three point lead over Ron Hornaday, Jr., in the unofficial NCTS point standings. " We decided at the beginning of the year running for the championship we weren't going to worry about anything and we weren't going to put any pressure on – we're just going to go have some fun and go do it," says Benson. "So, we're making it fun for the fans -- I can guarantee you that."

TWO TO DEBUT: Premier Racing will make its first NCTS start in a Toyota at Homestead-Miami with Timothy Peters behind the wheel of the No. 17 Tundra. This weekend's race will be a prelude for 2009 when the team will field Tundras throughout the season. Tayler Malsam will also make his NCTS debut at Homestead driving the Bill Davis Racing No. 52 Stocks for Tots Tundra.

TAKING THE TITLE: Toyota clinched the 2008 NCTS manufacturer's championship when Busch crossed the finish line second at Texas (Oct. 31). It marks the third consecutive manufacturer's championship for Toyota in the series and the fourth manufacturer's title for Toyota since becoming a participant in NASCAR's upper levels of competition in 2004. Toyota captured its first NCTS title in 2006 -- when Tundra driver Bodine also won the driver's championship -- and won the manufacturer's honors again in 2007.

CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE: Benson was able to hang on to his NCTS point lead following Phoenix and now leads second- place Hornaday, Jr., by only three points after 24 of 25 races. Tundra drivers Bodine (third), Skinner (fifth), Sprague (ninth) and Cook (10th) are also in the top-10 in points with only one race at Homestead-Miami remaining this year.

-credit: toyota motorsports