Sat Apr 26 21:01:04 2008

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Hornaday Jr. dominates Kansas

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Kansas City, KS (Sports Network) - Ron Hornaday Jr. led five different times for a total of 136 laps, including the final 54, en route to capturing Saturday evening's O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 at the Kansas Speedway. The No.33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet crossed the finish line three lengths ahead of teammate Jack Sprague.

The victory was Hornaday Jr.'s first of the season and 34th of his Craftsman Truck Series career.

"I have to thank all the guys, this is fun," said Hornaday Jr.

Hornaday Jr. was in charge for most of the day, but needed to stay out front while conserving fuel over the final third of the race to preserve the win. He is the first driver to win a Craftsman race at Kansas from the pole.

Hornaday Jr. had a chance to top off with 40 laps to go, but didn't want to give up the track position. He stayed on the track and was determined to stretch his final tank to 60 laps. Meanwhile, Mike Skinner who pitted on lap 110, had more than enough fuel to go the distance.

So it looked like it would be a battle of who was right in estimating fuel mileage and saving fuel mileage. Skinner would restart in 13th. None of the top-12 trucks stopped.

Then with 12 laps to go, Todd Bodine slammed the outside wall after trying to pass a lapped truck and it ended most everyone's fuel concerns. The race restarted with nine laps to go. But lasted just three laps before Terry Cook began to smoke and leave fluid on the track. Brian Scott spun and out came a record 12th caution flag. If anyone had still been worried about fuel, they weren't now.

Hornaday Jr. made the final restart with two laps to go and Sprague just behind him. Sprague went high down the backstretch and got close, but could never get the clean air and Hornaday Jr. had enough fuel to not only reach the checkered flag, but take on his victory lap.

Colin Braun, Johnny Benson and Skinner completed the top-five.

"We didn't have near as good a truck as the No.33," said Skinner.

The win also gives Hornaday Jr. the series points lead with 775 points, 61 more than Rick Crawford and 71 more than Bodine. The next race is scheduled for Friday, May 16th at the Lowe's Motor Speedway.