Mike Skinner on racing at Kentucky Speedway: “I love Kentucky. I love the racetrack, and the people there are great. We had a left front spring collapse last week, which put us out of contention for the win. Obviously, I thought it was a tire issue, but after further investigation, we found that it a spring had collapsed in the left front of my Tundra. The only other place I have ever had that happen was Kentucky. I look forward to going back and see how we do this time around.
“I do not know why we have had so success on the 1.5-mile tracks. I actually like the short tracks like Richmond, Bristol and Martinsville. We have had success on both kinds of tracks but I would like to see more short tracks on the schedule.
“I guess there are people who are really good racers, good qualifiers, and then there are people that are just good drivers. I guess I fall under the ‘good qualifier’ category, but I work hard to be a little of the other two. Being able to hold your breath for one lap is hard sometimes. We are able to find that qualifying edge, and I am in great equipment. [Crew chief] Jeff Hensley and the guys on this team are good. If the people on the team are not on the same page as the driver, you are not going to run good. Jeff and I are on the same page and know what each other are thinking. I think that chemistry is really starting to pay off.
“I am proud of passing Jack Sprague for the most poles in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, but I would trade the record for 10 more wins. Sitting on the pole is great. You get a good pit stall, which is part of getting to victory lane, but putting the entire race together is something we are working hard to do. I think the record will get bounced back and forth a lot before anyone is crowned the king because Jack Sprague is in good equipment and is great qualifier. Hopefully, we can get a couple of more as well. I have had a good qualifying record my whole career, and I have to thank car owner Gene Petty for that; he helped me learn how to qualify. There is such an intense focus for that one lap. I would much rather have wins, but if you can’t have that, at least you have a highlight for the weekend.”
2006 Mike Skinner NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results
Date Start Finish LC TL Status Money
2/17/2006 Daytona International Speedway 5 4 100 100 Running $32,000
2/24/2006 California Speedway 2 17 106 106 Running $13,090
3/17/2006 Atlanta Motor Speedway 2 35 60 135 Accident $7,410
4/1/2006 Martinsville Speedway 8 8 250 250 Running $11,200
4/29/2006 Gateway International Raceway 14 35 60 160 Accident $8,700
5/19/2006 Lowe’s Motor Speedway 1 31 115 134 Engine $11,040
5/27/2006 Mansfield Motorsports Speedway 19 29 248 250 Running $7,140
6/2/2006 Dover International Speedway 11 22 198 200 Running $13,340
6/9/2006 Texas Motor Speedway 1 2 168 168 Running $52,975
6/17/2006 Michigan Speedway 1 11 102 102 Running $14,725
6/23/2006 The Milwaukee Mile 6 11 200 200 Running $11,100
7/1/2006 Kansas Speedway 1 5 167 167 Running $19,300
Totals 5.91 17.5 1774 1972 90% $202,020
NOTES:
• This week’s race truck for Kentucky Speedway is Chassis No. 5-78. Truck No. 5-78 has been the No. 5 team’s staple this season. It has carried Mike Skinner to four pole positions and two top-five finishes. It has seen action at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and most recently, Kansas Speedway.
• Movin’ on up … After another top-five finish at Kansas Speedway, the No. 5 team moved to 13th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship standings. Since late May, the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team has gained five spots in the standings.
• Breaking the record… With his pole last weekend at Kansas, Skinner now holds the record for most career poles in the Craftsman Truck Series (28). Skinner owns four poles in 2006, three of which have come in the last four races. Skinner only has 116 starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, meaning he averages a pole in every 4.14 starts.
• Finishing Strong… The No. 5 Toyota Tundra team has been on a roll since early June. Since the race at Texas Motor Speedway, Skinner and the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team have scored three poles and two top-five finishes, with an average finish of 7.25.
• Listen and watch … The Built Ford Tough 225 is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET Saturday, July 8. It will broadcast live on Speed (TV), MRN (radio) and XM Radio channel 144.
