Great pit stops and a never-give-up attitude helped the No. 23 Roger Smith and Sons Toyota Tundra team capture its ninth top-10 finish of the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

Johnny Benson and the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra team entered the race at Kansas Speedway as the hottest team in the Craftsman Truck Series garage. The team had won the previous two races and was gunning for three straight on Saturday. Benson's ride for the weekend was victorious in Michigan, and the team was hoping for the same result in Kansas.

The team struggled early in the practice session. Benson told his crew he could feel the front end dragging on the pavement, and it was pushing him up the track. The team changed front springs, hoping to raise the front end enough to keep it off the track. The team then began its attempt to remedy the tight-handling condition Benson had described. After a host of chassis adjustments, the No. 23 team stood fourth on the speed chart. The team was optimistic about its chances for a solid run Saturday afternoon.

When the green flag was displayed to the field, Benson sat 22nd and on a mission to get to the front. Benson had picked up eight positions in only 20 laps, but he was not happy with his truck. He said the truck was sliding all over the place. Crew chief Rick Ren and the No. 23 team planned a series of changes to make during the first round of pit stops.

When the caution flag waved on 29, Benson brought his Tundra down the pit lane for service. After the routine four tires and fuel, the crew made a number of changes to the truck. The crew's fast work in the pits gained Benson five positions on the track. He restarted 11th on lap 34.

Two laps later, Benson said the truck was way too tight, and he was not able to get his Tundra to turn in the corner. The tight condition caused Benson to slide through the field, bottoming out at 15th by lap 50.

After 20 laps, the problems seemed to work themselves out, and Benson started to maneuver up through the field. He found himself back in the top 10 on lap 75. When the caution flag waved again on lap 77, Benson pitted for another four tires, more fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Another great stop helped Benson restart sixth.

When the caution flag waved on 125, the team was faced with the risky decision of pitting for fresh rubber or not pitting in favor of track position. Benson voted in favor of new tires and received them on lap 127. This time, the crew gained its driver two positions on the track.

With only 40 laps to go in the event, Benson was in the 17th spot. With fresh tires beneath him, Benson hoped his truck was capable of gaining positions. It was; Benson battled his way to a ninth-place finish.