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Mike Skinner Las Vegas Motor Speedway Recap

Monday September 22, 2008

 

Mike Skinner – Toyota Tundra Racing
Post Race Report

Race: Qwik Liner Las Vegas 350 (Race 19 of 25)
Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Date: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008
Started: Third
Finish: First
Laps Completed: 146
Total Laps: 146
NCTS Points: Fifth

The No. 5 Toyota Tundra team hoped to capture its first victory of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign this weekend in “Sin City.” The team won the 146-lap event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2006 and knew it had brought a Tundra capable of winning the event. Veteran driver Mike Skinner has always excelled on 1.5-mile tracks, and the team was confident this weekend would be no exception.

The No. 5 team unloaded its truck for Saturday’s practice sessions and immediately went to the top of the speed chart. Skinner explained to his team the truck handled loose at both ends of the track, but it drove well off the turns. The team made a couple of minor adjustments to the truck in an attempt to keep the rear of their truck from snapping loose. With every change, the truck became more drivable and quicker on the stopwatch. By the end of the second and final practice session, the No. 5 team was at the top of the speed chart and was the garage’s pick to win the race.

Skinner qualified in the middle of the qualifying session, during the heat of the afternoon. The track was very hot, causing it to have little mechanical grip. Every competitor complained about the lack of grip, and Skinner was no exception. The NASCAR veteran did a phenomenal job saving his Tundra from slapping the turn four wall as he was coming around to take the white flag. After he gathered it up, he made his second and final lap of the qualifying session, which was good enough for the third spot on the starting grid for Saturday night’s main attraction.

Skinner took the green flag Saturday night, and it only took two laps for him to take the point. He explained to his team that his Tundra was still considerably loose on the long run, and it needed an adjustment on the first stop. The 1995 Craftsman Truck Series Champion’s truck might have been loose, but it was not hindering him from pulling away from the rest of the 36-truck field.

Skinner pitted for his requested adjustment – made to the trackbar – under caution on lap 25. After the four-tire stop, he restarted ninth on lap 28. Ten laps later, he told his team the truck was still considerably loose, and the right rear tire was chattering. The loose condition hurt Skinner’s lap times, and he began to fall through the field.

When the caution flag waved again on lap 64, Skinner told his team he needed some help to keep from spinning out. Interim Crew Chief Slugger Labbe prescribed significant changes to the truck, which were made on lap 66.

The No. 5 team changed both right side tires, filled the truck with fuel and made a chassis adjustment, hoping to find a combination Skinner could drive.

Skinner restarted the race in the lead. Three laps later, he told Labbe the truck was better. His lap times improved, and Skinner consistently had one of the three fastest trucks on the track. He spent the next 50 laps in the top three and was squarely in contention to win the 146-lap event.

The race concluded with one attempt at a green-white-checkered finish. Skinner was in the runner-up position behind Erik Darnell and knew he would have to beat Darnell into turn one to have a chance to get to victory lane. Skinner did just that; he had a great run going into turn one and passed Darnell’s No. 99 machine on the outside. The duo battled during the final lap, going two wide in both corners. Skinner made his final pass to solidify the victory as he was coming down to take the checkered flag. With the victory, Skinner moved up two positions in the Craftsman Truck Series Championship standings and is now in the fifth spot.

The No. 5 Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra heads to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after a well-deserved off-weekend. The Talladega race can be seen live on Speed Channel Saturday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m. EST.

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This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Kim DeHaven.

 

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