NASCAR Daily News Headlines * June 21, 2008

Scott Kalitta Killed In Drag Racing Accident

Witnesses told The Star-Ledger of Newark that Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at an estimated speed of 300 mph when the crash occurred.

The Palmetto, Fla., resident started his career at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in 1982. His father, Connie Kalitta, was a longtime driver and team owner known as "The Bounty Hunter," and his cousin, Doug Kalitta, also drives competitively.

NASCAR Nationwide series driver Brad Keselowski — a native of Rochester Hills, Mich., about 20 miles away from Kalitta's hometown of Mount Clemens — learned the news from a television report Saturday afternoon.

"That really hits close to home," Keselowski said after winning the pole position for Saturday night's race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis. "(He was) a friend of my family's, and I send my thoughts and prayers out to him. That's tough to hear."

Last year, Funny Car driver Eric Medlen died after an accident in a testing session at Gainesville, Fla.(CBS Sports)

Ambrose Leads Happy Hour Practice

Benson Wins Third Straight At Milwaukee

Benson started on the pole and led three times for a race-high 130 of 200 laps. A faulty set of tires in the middle of the race put Benson mid-pack with storms looming in the area, but a lightning-quick pit stop found him in the lead before a 25-minute weather delay. When the storms passed and the race resumed, Benson's truck thundered away from the competition, crossing the finish line 2.530 seconds clear of runner-up Matt Crafton.

"The last pit stop got us out front, and that's probably what won us the race," said Benson, following his victory. "Trip Bruce (crew chief), he just builds me great, great race trucks to race every week. Once we got in that clean air and up front and we ran one or two corners under green when we went back after [the delay], I felt I was going to be in pretty good shape."

For Benson, the victory is the 10th of his NCTS career, and the first in 2008. He became just the fourth driver in NCTS history to win three-straight races at the same track. "It is a little overwhelming to be able to win three races here," said Benson. "It will sink in after a day or two. Milwaukee is not too far from where I grew up, just on the other side of the lake. It's just a neat place. I've won an (American Speed Association) race here, I've come close in a (Nationwide Series) race before, but to win three truck races here in a row is just incredible."

Benson's win is the fifth for Toyota this season, and 43rd since joining the series in 2004 (111 races).

Todd Bodine (fifth), Michael Annett (sixth), Terry Cook (ninth) and Mike Skinner (10th) also scored top-10 finishes for Toyota Friday night. Annett's finish came in just his first-career NCTS start, while Cook's was the 100th top-10 result of his career.

Toyota drivers Mike Bliss (12th), Marc Mitchell (15th), Ted Musgrave (19th), Chrissy Wallace (20th), David Starr (23rd) and Justin Marks (25th) were also in the field.

With the win, Benson extended his lead in the unofficial NCTS point standings, now 50 points ahead of fellow Tundra driver Todd Bodine. Tundra pilots Skinner (sixth) and Cook (seventh) are also in the top-10 in points after 11 of 25 races.