• NOTES:

· This week’s race truck for Phoenix International Raceway is Chassis No. 5-76. This is the same truck Skinner won with at Martinsville just a few races ago.

* Stats… Skinner leads the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in a number of categories. He has the top marks in Driver Rating (117.9), Average Running Position (5.565), Laps in the Top 15 (3,520 of 3,720) and Laps Led (1,081laps, 1,190.31 miles).

· Pole Record… Skinner captured his 42nd career NCTS pole last weekend and tied his season record of 10 poles in a single season, which he set in 1995. This weekend he will look to break his own record.

* Back and Forth… Skinner took back the point’s lead in Texas last weekend by a whopping 57 points over Hornaday, the fifth closest in series history with two races remaining. Skinner could emerge from Phoenix the champion if he wins the race and leads the most laps and Hornaday finishes 36th with zero laps led. 

* First Time Out… Mike Skinner’s first start behind the wheel of a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series machine came at Phoenix International Raceway in February 1995. Skinner beat NASCAR Cup Series veteran Terry Labonte to the line to take the victory in a dramatic finish. It was Skinner’s first of eight victories that season, which helped him capture his first Craftsman Truck Series Championship. He has since accumulated a total of 24 victories, 74 top-five finishes and 94 top-10 finishes. He has also claimed the pole on 41 occasions. 

* Nice Stat… In seven starts at the one mile Phoenix track, Skinner has five top-five finishes and six top-10 finishes, including two wins in 1995. He has an average finishing position of 5.3. 

* Listen and watch … The Casino Arizona 150 is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday, Nov.9. It will broadcast on the Speed Channel (TV), MRN (radio) and Sirius Satellite Radio (Ch. 128).

• Mike Skinner’s Racing Quotes:

Mike Skinner on racing at Phoenix International Raceway:

“I am very excited about Phoenix. We normally run pretty well here and I have a lot of history here as well, so hopefully we can capitalize on that this weekend. It is coming down to the wire and we have got to do all we can to run well this weekend if we want to keep our hopes alive in Homestead.”