Camping World Truck Series – Ford 200

2 in a row for Kevin Harvick Friday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway…

…and also celebrated winning the owners’ championship while in victory lane.

Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images

“That’s the way to put an end to a year, right there!” Harvick radioed to his crew.

Harvick dominated under the lights leading a race-high 108 laps. Harvick was out in front by over 4 seconds during the closing laps of the race, when Ryan Sieg hit the wall. The accident brought out the fourth and final caution of the race which also set up the green-white-checkered finish. While Harvick pitted for four tires, Timothy Peters stayed out on the track to take over the lead on the final restart. It didn’t take Harvick long to pass him -- try the very first turn.

“Our goal was to go out and lead the most laps and win the race,” Harvick said. “I think everybody was concerned about their tires (late in the race), and there weren’t very many trucks on the lead lap, so we came down for four tires. I thought the 17 (Timothy Peters) was going to be a sitting duck there, (and) luckily it all worked out.”

The gamble paid off with a top-5 finish. “What a way to end a year,” he said. “Just awesome to end the year on this note right here. We didn’t have anything to lose.” Peters finished 4th.

Kevin Harvick Inc. driver, Ron Hornaday Jr. clinched the championship last week at Phoenix International Raceway while Harvick won the race. This week, Hornaday Jr. celebrated winning the owners’ championship while Harvick once again celebrated in victory lane.

Billy Ballew challenged for the owner’s title. Kyle Busch, driving Ballew’s #51, scored 7 truck wins this year, but didn’t have the night he had hoped for in the season finale at Homestead. Due to an engine change, Busch had to start in the back of the field after qualifying 8th. He easily marched to the front and was chasing Harvick for the lead  33 laps in. Busch blew a tire forcing him down pit road with 50 to go. The crew failed to carry the tire over the pit wall before their driver took off. Busch had to serve a pass-through penalty which knocked him two laps down. He was able to climb back to a 13th place finish, but the final 73 point gap between the 2 owners gave KHI the boost they needed to win.

“To win the owners’ title, you’ve got to do that. It’s everything,” Hornaday said. “You can’t just win the drivers’ title, because it takes a whole team.”

Hornaday previously won in 1996, 1998 and in 2007. At 51 years, 4 months and 24 days, Hornaday becomes the oldest driver to win a championship in NASCAR’s 3 national series. It’s also a record 4th Camping World Truck Series championship. He joins Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to have won 4 or more championships in NASCAR’s top 3.

Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Hornaday went on a hot streak over the summer winning 5 consecutive races in a row – tying with Richard Petty and Bobby Allison as the only drivers to ever do so in NASCAR history.

Matt Crafton finished the race 2nd as well as runner-up for the season, 187 points behind Hornaday. Crafton added, “We were the bridesmaids a lot this year.”

Polesitter Colin Braun finished 3rd.

For the (unofficial) race results, click here.

There were 4 cautions for 15 laps and 8 lead changes among 5 drivers: C. Braun 1-5; K. Harvick 6-59; K. Busch 60-68; K. Harvick 69-113; T. Peters 114-116; A. Almirola 117-123; K. Harvick 124-130; T. Peters 131-134; K. Harvick 135-136

The (unofficial) 2009 Driver Standings:

1. Ron Hornaday 3959
2. Matt Crafton 3772
3. Mike Skinner 3602
4. Todd Bodine 3437
5. Colin Braun 3338
6. Johnny Sauter 3331
7. Brian Scott 3307
8. Timothy Peters 3289
9. David Starr 3271
10. Rick Crawford 3161

For the entire (unofficial) standings, click here.