Truck youth takes back seat to Bodine at banquet

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Mark Twain once said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

While drivers like Austin Dillon, Aric Almirola and Kyle Busch continue to be proof that youth must be served, it was 46-year-old Todd Bodine who wound up at the head table for the second time in five years when NASCAR handed out the hardware at Monday night's Camping World Truck Series portion of the Nationwide/Truck Awards Banquet at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

Since 27-year-old Travis Kvapil won the driver's title in 2003, the past seven champions have been in either their 40s or 50s. So even though the kids were all right in 2010, Bodine was better.

"I'm just the lucky guy who gets to stand up here and represent a group of people called Germain Racing," Bodine said after being introduced as this year's series champion. "From the girls in the front office to the guys in the fab shop working, I'm the guy who gets to stand up here and accept this trophy and this award. They're all a part of this."

During his speech, Bodine took the opportunity to thank a number of people directly involved in his second Truck championship, including team owners Bob, Steve and Rick Germain, and the guys he called the "Dirty 30."

"It's hard to call them just my crew," Bodine said. "They're truly my friends."

Bodine and wife, Janet, will be married a year in December, but when he has a bad race, "she has to hear everything about Kyle and how he cut me off and spun me out."

Then he turned his attention to team founder Mike Hillman.

"We all learn from examples, whether it's a schoolteacher or your next-door neighbor, or most importantly, your parents," Bodine said. "Mike Hillman Jr. had one of the best examples of how to race and how to be a racer from his father. I've had the pleasure of knowing Senior for almost 25 years, ever since we had race shops almost right next door to each other at Dragstrip Race Park."

"We get done at 10 p.m., go have a beer and talk about it all and go home. We've had that friendship -- and Junior learned how to be a racer from his father, and learned what dedication is about, and hard work."

And last, but certainly not least, Bodine spoke about his crew chief and friend, Mike Hillman Jr.

"We all have people in this world we look up to," Bodine said. "I'm probably one of the most fortunate guys in the world to have the guy I look up to, standing beside me every week. He stood beside me as the best man at my wedding. When I get down, he's there to pump me up. I couldn't do this without him and I love him like my brother.

"I appreciate everything you do, Junior. I know the sacrifices you've made. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Hillman Jr., still on crutches after suffering broken bones and a dislocated ankle in September, spoke earlier about dedication and commitment.

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing to do," he said. "But to hold it all together when everyone would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength. That goes to our motto at Germain Racing: Never give up. And it's paid off this year for these guys."

Kyle Busch's first-year operation -- Kyle Busch Motorsports -- earned the 2010 owner's championship. In order to be ready for Daytona, Busch revealed to the audience that he and director of operations Rick Ren purchased a handful of race-ready trucks, a couple of chassis and some additional parts from Jack Roush.

Later in the year, one of those trucks wound up winning at Talladega in a three-wide sprint to the finish line.

"Jack, thanks for the Fords," Busch said. "We cut them up, put some Toyota bodies on them and they were fast."

Almirola, Johnny Sauter, Matt Crafton and Dillon were also honored for finishing in the top five in points. Dillon, the 20-year-old grandson of Richard Childress, also won rookie of the year honors. He and his grandfather are planning on going big-game hunting in Africa during the offseason, while Almirola's plans include marriage.

Narain Karthikeyan was selected by fans voting on NASCAR.COM as the series' Most Popular Driver.

Bodine summed up the evening -- and the season -- with his closing remarks.

"That's one thing about the Truck Series," Bodine said. "We all get done racing, we have a beer and have some fun. So thank you very much and we'll see you all at Daytona."

Related:
NASCAR honors four champions at Nationwide/Truck banquet