Mike Skinner – Toyota Tundra Racing
Post Race Report - Race: Silverado 350K (Race 23 of 25)
Track: Texas Motor Speedway - Date: Friday, Nov. 2, 2007
Started: First - Finished: Third - Laps Completed: 149  
Total Laps: 149 - NCTS Points: First

Mike Skinner and his No. 5 Tundra team visited one of Skinner’s favorite tracks this weekend. It would be a perfect place for Skinner to reclaim the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship lead from Ron Hornaday Jr. Skinner trailed Hornaday by only four points entering the race at Texas Motor Speedway.

The No. 5 truck ran great in every practice session Thursday. Skinner topped the speed charts and was appeared to be poised to win his 10th pole position of the season.

Skinner attempted to capture his fifth pole at the Texas track and was successful with his lap of 29.326 seconds. It was Skinner’s 42nd career pole and it tied the Craftsman Truck Series record of 10 poles in a single season. Skinner set that mark himself in 1995.

By virtue of leading the first lap, Skinner earned five crucial bonus points. He maintained his lead throughout the first 14 laps of the race, during which time he reported to his team that the handling of his truck was slightly loose.

After the caution flag waved on lap 40, Skinner pitted for four tires, fuel and a round of wedge. He restarted third on lap 44. Upon the restart, Skinner told the No. 5 crew that the truck was all over the place. He drove hard and tried to remain within the top five, all the while battling his truck.

With his Tundra getting looser by the lap, Skinner continued to drive his heart out and soon was engaged in a battle for the lead. He took the lead on lap 76 and maintained it for the next 30 laps.

Due to a long green flag run, Skinner would be forced to dive down pit road under green flag conditions. Skinner’s crew took the wedge out of the truck during the four-tire stop. Once he returned to the track, Skinner began to pick off positions one by one.

By lap 143, Skinner was battling Hornaday for both the points lead and the race lead. As the two squared off, the two trucks made contact. The wreck that followed collected the a few other trucks as well.

Skinner came to pit road so his crew could repair the damage to the truck. With Hornaday’s truck having much more damage Skinner’s truck, Skinner told his crew to just take their time. The crew gave the No. 5 truck four tires and fuel before Skinner restarted seventh for the green-white-checkered finish.

The lead trucks collided after the race restarted. Skinner avoided the wreckage to finish third and recapture the points lead by 57 points over Hornaday.

Skinner will try to extend his points lead next week at Phoenix International Raceway. The race will be televised live on Speed, Nov. 9.