2006 NASCAR Craftsman TruckSeries.com Champion, Todd Bodine. (David M. Vaughn Photo)

The strategy and the finish wasn't what Todd Bodine (No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota) was looking for, but a conservative run in the Nov. 17 Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway wrapped up the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship.

Bodine, keeping rival Johnny Benson (No. 23 Exide Batteries Toyota) in sight through much of the race, prevailed with a 21st-place finish when Benson's truck was caught up in another competitor's mishap.

The final point margin was 127 - third largest in series history.

The title ended a Bodine family drought of more than 25 years as brothers Todd, Geoffrey and Brett pursued a NASCAR national touring series crown.

Bodine's success came in the trio's 1,853rd start.

"For what this family's gone through (in racing) … it's very special for us," said Bodine, the series' sixth consecutive different champion and seventh in nine seasons. "I told my mom (on the cell phone) 'we finally did it.' It's the first time a family member has done something so important."

The family had come close on several occasions. Brett Bodine, now a NASCAR competition executive, finished second in 1986 NASCAR Busch Series points. Todd was the 1997 NASCAR Busch Series runnerup.

The eldest Bodine, Geoffrey, won the 1986 Daytona 500 and finished third in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series title race in 1990.

"You just can't put it into words," said Bodine. "It's just incredible. We've got the best crew, we've got the best owners in the Germains and I have the Hillmans (Mike Sr. and Mike Jr.) on my side. You can't ask for more.

"This cements the fact we're champions - no ifs, ands or buts."