Bobby in the Zone

Bobby Hamilton found a comfort zone this season - and in the process became a champion.

In his second season driving full time in the Craftsman Truck Series, Hamilton, 47, had a career year, earning acclaim with a 46-point triumph over Dennis Setzer.

"Dodge has always been doing the kinds of things you need to do, but it's tougher to succeed now, much tougher," Hamilton, who gave Dodge its first drivers championship, told reporters. "Toyota came in strong, and it made Chevy and Ford step up. If you finished in the top 18 this year, it was as good as a top 10 finish in the past."

Indeed, 13 drivers scored victories in 25 races - one shy of the series record - and nine of those drivers won more than one race. Dodge, which had 11 victories in 2004, won its third manufacturers championship in four years.

Hamilton won four races, equaling his career total in Cup racing and his victory total in 49 previous CTS starts, dating to 1996.