Sat Jun 28 19:10:12 2008

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Benson wins truck pole at Memphis

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Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Craftsman Truck Series points leader Johnny Benson captured the pole for Saturday night's O'Reilly 200 at Memphis Motorsports Park. The No.23 Toyota circled the flat 0.750 oval in 22.837 seconds (118.229 m.p.h.).

The pole victory was Benson's third of the season and fifth of his truck career.

Starting on the front row with Benson will be Bobby East who posted a time of 22.937 seconds.

Defending series champion Ron Hornaday, Jr. was third (22.950) and Erik Darnell (23.002) will make up row two.

The Craftsman Truck Series continues to be the most hotly contested championship battle in NASCAR. There are eight drivers within 189 points of Benson.

Benson is coming off a third consecutive win at Milwaukee and his first of 2008, but probably not his last. Over the last two years, Benson has won nine times all after June 17th.

Tonight's event is set to drop the green flag at 9 p.m. (et).