By Joe Dunn
Ron Hornaday led the field to the green flag in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, E-Z GO 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but it was Matt Crafton that had the lead when the field came back to the line. It was contact between Hornaday and Kyle Busch that allowed Crafton to move past. By lap 11 Hornaday managed to regain the lead, but after some fierce fighting to hold the lead, he was forced to relinquish that to Busch on lap 12. By lap 15, Kevin Harvick was able to motor passed Busch for the lead.
That first lap rubbing with Busch, proved to be the undoing of the day for Hornaday as the 33 Longhorn Chevrolet finally had a tire let loose, crashing into the wall in turn 4 on lap 24, bringing out the first caution. The damage to the 33 Longhorn Chevrolet was enough to bring Hornaday’s day to an end.
Harvick held the lead through a caution for debris on lap 54. After the green flag once again waived, Todd Bodine was able to snatch the lead on lap 59, only to lose it to Busch on the next lap. On lap 62, Todd Bodine get together with Matt Crafton in turn two, bringing out the third caution.. The damage to Crafton’s truck sent him to the garage while Bodine was able to pit for repairs.
Following the green flag on lap 64,, Steven Wallace was able to take the lead for three laps, before Kyle Busch once again took over. One lap later, Crafton, who had returned to the track was once again involved in a wreck in turn two bringing out the 4th caution of the race. By lap 75, Kevin Harvick motored his way past Busch to take the lead for the last time.
On lap 77 the #7 of Justin Lofton tangled with 93 of Shane Sieg on the backstretch for the fifth caution. On lap 113, a caution for debris tightened up the field for the finish.
When the checkered flag was dropped on lap 130 it was Kevin Harvick taking the win with Kyle Busch second and Aric Almirola third. Steve Wallace, Todd Bodine and Ricky Carmichael rounded out the top five. Austin Dillon redeemed himself from his first lap crash at Daytona by finishing 10th, the top finishing rookie.
Other notable finishers were rookie Jennifer Jo Cobb 21st and Geoff Bodine 26th.
The unofficial 2010 drivers points for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, after two races has Todd Bodine the leader with Timothy Peters second, Jason White third, Aric Almirola fourth and Stacy Compton fifth, 104 points out of the lead..