Although the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway wasn't spectacular, the New York native did what he had to do, finishing 21st to secure the championship. His closest pursuer, Johnny Benson, had mechanical problems himself and finished behind Bodine in 26th.
From start to finish, Bodine was the man. He took the lead after the fifth race of the year and didn't let it go.
I was watching with some interest when Benson's run at Las Vegas in September left him only 91 points off Bodine's pace with six races left, but when a miraculous win in the Casino Arizona 150 is your only real highlight, it's time to throw in the wrenches and call it a year.
After Mark Martin won his sixth trucks race of the year Friday, there's more reason to believe the series will be worth watching even more in 2007.
The next up-and-comer may be just around the corner. The old guys who love the thrill of the race will be there, too.