Ron Hornaday Jr. caught up to, and passed, Mike Skinner in the chmpionship standings after the most recent event at Gateway. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

Eight, and four.

Those are the numbers to remember this week as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series embarks on its 2007 stretch run.

Eight races remain; only four points separate standings leader Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet), from second-place Mike Skinner (No. 5 XM/Toyota Tundra Toyota).

And if that weren't drama enough, Johnny Benson (No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota) - currently fifth in the series standings - is aiming for his third consecutive victory.

He'll attempt the feat in Saturday's New Hampshire 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway, and if successful, will duplicate Skinner's trio of consecutive wins posted earlier this season at California Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway.

Back to the standings battle: It's the series' second-closest margin after 17 events. Hornaday leads the standings for the first time since 1999 - the third leader of '07 - following Jack Sprague (No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota) and Skinner.

And with Skinner seeking to re-gain the series lead he lost last week at Gateway International Raceway, and Benson's bid for three consective victories, consider that Skinner finished second in this event last September - to Benson. The two also started last year's event one-two: Skinner with the pole, Benson with the outside pole.

SOURCE: NASCAR Communications