Mike Skinner: Toyota Tundra Racing Post Race Report

Race: American Commercial Lines 200 (Race 3 of 25)
Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway -- Date: Friday, March 16, 2007
Started: First -- Finished: First -- Laps Completed: 130 -- Total Laps: 130
NCTS Points: First

The No. 5 Toyota Tundra team headed to Atlanta tied for the points lead. After coming off a win two weeks ago in California, Skinner and his Tundra team were looking to score two in a row.

Waiting around all morning on Friday due to rain, Skinner couldn't wait for the rain to stop. With the clouds finally clearing and the sun coming out, the first and only practice session of the day would get underway. Running well right out of the box, Skinner and crew chief Jeff Hensley would make minor changes to the truck during the session. Getting faster by the minute, Skinner would wrap up practice and emerge as the quickest truck.

Skinner and his team knew Atlanta was one of the fastest tracks on the circuit, and going into the qualifying session they were determined to show everyone why. Putting up a blistering lap of 30.474 seconds at 181.926 mph, Skinner would capture his first pole of the season.

When the green flag waved over the field under a very cold night, Skinner would lead the trucks at Atlanta. Charging forward and leading the way for the first 17 laps, Skinner would soon radio to his crew that his truck was extremely loose.

With a competition caution displaying on lap 25, Skinner would come to pit road for four tires, fuel and some minor adjustments. Restarting on lap 32, Skinner would regain the lead in his Toyota Tundra. Driving away from the field and maintaining the lead for the next 22 laps, Skinner's truck however would once again become difficult to drive.

With another caution flag displaying on lap 58 due to an accident in the backstretch, Skinner would once again bring his Tundra down pit road for some adjustments. Restarting on lap 66, Skinner would charge forward to regain the lead again by lap 74.

Throughout the night many more caution flags would be displayed and the field would be forced to duke it out with six laps to go when the race restarted on lap 124. With Skinner restarting as the leader and the night winding down, Skinner would show how fast his truck really was. Driving away from the pack, Skinner would go on to claim his first victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Skinner and his undeniably hot No. 5 Tundra race team will race again in two weeks at Martinsville Speedway. The race will be televised live Saturday, March 31st on Fox.