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Skinner filling in nicely for Allmendinger
By Debbie Arrington - darrington@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, March 14, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C7
When Team Red Bull needed an expert to iron out problems with the No. 84 Toyota, Mike Skinner got the call.
Balancing NASCAR Sprint Cup racing with his truck duties, the Susanville resident currently is subbing for former Champ Car star A.J. Allmen-dinger, another Northern California native. Strong qualifying is a must for teams without a guaranteed berth, and Allmendinger made only 17 starts his first full Cup season in 2007.
After Allmendinger failed to qualify for the first three Cup races this season, Team Red Bull turned to Skinner. Last week, the veteran qualified 34th and finished a credible 27th in the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
A week before Atlanta, Skinner qualified the No. 27 Toyota fifth at Las Vegas for Bill Davis Racing and finished 30th in the UAW-Dodge 400. He's slated to drive the No. 84 again this week in Bristol, Tenn., but his primary assignment is get the car into Sunday's Food City 500 with a good run in today's qualifying. Speed Channel will show qualifying live at 12:30 p.m.
Skinner, 50, has 247 Cup starts over 19 seasons dating to 1986. In stark contrast to today's teen drivers rising through NASCAR's ranks, Skinner jokes he became an "overnight sensation" at age 40 when he won NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year honors in 1997.
But his greatest success has come in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck series, where he won the 1995 (and first) championship and just missed the 2007 title, finishing a close second to Ron Hornaday. Skinner has 79 truck wins, including five in 2007. He also won 12 poles last season.
Quarter midgets are back
After its home track was spared from demolition, the Capitol Quarter Midget Association will launch its 2008 season Saturday and Sunday at Roy Hayer Memorial Speedway, 800 G St., Rio Linda. The program is geared to kids ages 5 and up. Events start at 9:30 a.m. and new members are welcome. Admission is free. For more details about the racing or the club, see www.capitolqma.com or call (916) 991-1128.
About the writer:
- Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 326-5514.
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