TEAM REPORTS (DAYTONA, FLA.) - Mike Skinner - Toyota Tundra Racing Post Race Report

Mike Skinner and his No. 5 Toyota Tundra team were excited about racing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Skinner’s hometown track. After finishing second in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship standings last year, Skinner has his eye set again on winning Bill Davis Racing’s first NASCAR Championship.

Rain delayed the first practice session of the year for Craftsman Truck Series Wednesday, so Skinner and the rest of the Truck Series drivers waited patiently until they finally got their turn on the 2.5-mile track. Skinner ran some very good laps in both practice sessions Wednesday and Thursday, and he and his team were ready for Thursday night’s qualifying session.

Skinner was the second driver to qualify. He put down an incredible lap of 51.309 seconds to claim the third starting position for Friday night’s race.

As the flag waved over the 36-truck field Friday, Skinner immediately began his charge to the front. He was in the second position when the caution flag waved on lap 11. Skinner joined the rest of the field on pit road and restarted second on lap 14 after stopping for right side tires and fuel.

Immediately after the restart, Skinner challenged for the lead and took that No. 1 position on lap 15. He remained out front for the next two laps before being shuffled about in the draft. With many trucks fighting for the same position, something would soon have to give, and Skinner was involved in that something. Skinner’s truck was bumped from the high side on lap 19. He lost control of his Tundra as it shot straight up the track, resulting in a huge mess. The damage received in the wreck forced Skinner and his No. 5 Tundra to the garage area.

With his crew working diligently behind the pit wall, Skinner returned to the track by lap 70 in an attempt to gain valuable track position. He posted great lap times after the incredible repairs his team made to his Tundra. Skinner crossed the start/finish line in the 29th position when the checkered flag waved.

Though they did not start the season the way they may have wanted, Skinner and his team are looking forward to next weekend’s race in California, which is where Skinner started his winning streak last year. The race will be televised live Saturday, Feb. 23 on SPEED Channel.