Skinner to compete in pro/celebrity race 
SCENEDAILY - APRIL 12, 2007 -

Craftsman Truck Series driver Mike Skinner will put his three-race win streak on the line this weekend ... in the streets of Long Beach, Calif. ... against movie director George Lucas, tennis star Martina Navratilova and actress Kathryn Morris, among others.

Skinner is one of the pros who will compete in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend.

"I've never been on the streets before - without blue lights following behind me at least," Skinner said with a laugh. "But here it's always green, green, green and go, cat, go! We're having a really good time."

Reigning Craftsman Truck Series champ Todd Bodine was originally scheduled to participate but had to cancel his appearance.

Among the celebrities, Skinner said Navratilova should be one to watch.

"Martina is the wild card in the race," Skinner said. "She's the celebrity that can win it if she gets the right breaks and gets the right qualifying lap. If she starts in the front, she's going to be very hard for anyone to pass."

Skinner recently traveled to Willow Springs International Motorsports Park in Rosamond, Calif., for a training session with the celebrities, who will compete in identically prepared Toyota Scions.

"I gave Kathryn [Morris] a few tips up at Willow Springs, and I'll probably give her a little help here on the track [in Long Beach]," Skinner said.

"I've had a number of them come up and ask me questions. It's kind of cool when somebody as popular as these folks come up and ask me a question."