The No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Tundra team knew a strong finish at Texas Motor Speedway would keep its championship hopes alive. This was a challenge in itself, but the team was faced with the additional challenge of an absent crew chief. Crew chief Rick Ren missed the Texas race due to back surgery. Nevertheless, the team was poised to continue its battle for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship.

Johnny Benson and the Toyota Certified Used Vehicles crew were confident in their Tundra, and it showed in both practice sessions Thursday afternoon. Benson said his truck was really good in both corners and had good speed down the straightaways. The team made a couple of minor adjustments to the truck to see how it would react during the event. At the end of the "happy hour" final practice session, the team believed its truck would contend for the victory.

The race started on a perfect fall night in Texas. Benson had his red Tundra lined up in the 11th spot and knew what he had to do to get it to the front of the 36-truck field. It only took two laps for Benson to break into the top 10. Eighteen laps into the race, he explained to his crew that the truck wanted to pivot on the left front. He requested that adjustments be made to help the truck turn.

Benson's truck received an air pressure adjustment, along with four tires and fuel, under caution on lap 44. The team did a great job on pit road and returned Benson to the track in the fourth position.

Benson and the rest of the front-runners began pulling away from the rest of the field. Benson told his team his Tundra needed a small wedge adjustment, but he felt like they were going to be in good shape.

The team made its final pit stop of the night under caution on lap 94. After quickly administering four tires, fuel, air pressure and wedge adjustment to the truck, the team returned Benson to the track in the top five.

It appeared Benson would finally pick up some ground in the championship hunt, but all hope was lost on lap 115 when Benson told his team the engine was going sour. Benson began falling field and finally took his machine to the garage on lap 138. After retiring 10 laps early, Benson was credited with a 31st-place finish.

Benson and the No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Tundra team now sit 137 points behind points leader Todd Bodine.