Milwaukie's Mike Bliss wins NASCAR truck race

For you Northwest NASCAR fans, congratulations goes out to Mike Bliss, from Milwaukie, Oregon, on his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win since 2002, last Saturday, October 28th in the EasyCare Vehicle Services Contract 200 (probably the longest named race) at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Bliss, in the #16 Xpress Motorsports/StrutMasters.com Chevrolet Silverado, grabbed the lead on a restart with 10 laps to go and held off Terry Cook for the win. It was his lucky 13th career truck victory. His last truck series win came in September, 2002 at South Boston Speedway in Virginia. With three races left Bliss remains 10th in the Craftsman Truck Series points, 424 points behind leader Todd Bodine, but only 153 points out of fourth and still has a shot at a Top 5 finish in the final point standings with strong finishes. Bliss has had a good season with 7 Top 5 finishes, and 13 Top 10's this season.

The last three races follow the NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule as the Friday night races at Texas, Phoenix and end the season November 17th at Homestead-Miami Speedway.