Clermont, IN. (August 5, 2006) - Mike Skinner battled back from early race contact and a tight handling racecar to bring the No. 12 Supercuts Dodge home in 18th place in the Kroger 200 Benefiting Riley Hospital for Children Saturday at O'Reilly Raceway Park.
When Mike Skinner climbed behind the wheel of the Supercuts Dodge Saturday morning, this NASCAR veteran had already run more than 200 miles in just two days. The Kroger 200 would be the second of three races Skinner would run this weekend in Indianapolis. The veteran held the distinction of being the only driver to compete in the NCTS, NBS and Nextel Cup races in the same weekend.
The Supercuts Dodge unloaded fast right off the truck with Skinner posting the second quickest time in the morning's first practice. The veteran was able to better his practice speed posting the 11th fastest qualifying time for the 200-lap event.
Knowing they had a fast racecar and a veteran driver behind the wheel, confidence was high in the Supercuts pit as the No. 12 took the green. Unfortunately contact from the No. 38 car on lap 11 sent Skinner careening into the wall bringing out the night's second caution.
Relinquishing his track position Skinner brought the No. 12 Dodge to pit road for repairs. After a quick assessment by the Supercuts crew, Skinner was sent back out on to the racing surface with what appeared to be only cosmetic damage.
It didn't take long into the green flag run for Skinner to radio an assessment of his wounded racecar.
"It's really tight," he said. "It won't turn in the middle, it's really tight."
A timely caution on lap 22 would allow Skinner to bring the No. 12 back to pit road for some much needed adjustments. Along with four fresh tires and fuel, the No. 12 crew took a spring rubber from the right rear and made significant air pressure changes hoping to loosen up the Supercuts Dodge.
Although continuing to inform the crew his racecar was "really, really tight" Skinner charged up through the field breaking back into the top-20 just past the halfway point of the 200-lap event.
A caution on lap 130 allowed Skinner one last pit stop in hopes of loosening up his very tight racecar. The Supercuts crew sprang into action bolting on four Goodyear tires, adding fuel and making a track bar change. Skinner was sent back into battle restarting in the 16th position.
Despite the wholesale changes made by the Supercuts crew, Skinner would continue to battle a persistent tight condition, taking the checkered flag in the 18th position.
Road course specialist Carlos Contreras returns to the No. 12 Dodge along with primary sponsor Goulds Pumps as the NASCAR Busch Series heads to Watkins Glen International for the second road course race of the year. NBC and MRN Radio will broadcast the Zippo 200 live beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Olympia Steel Buildings is a proud co-sponsor of the No.14 Dodge owned by FitzBradshaw Racing
# posted by Olympia Steel Buildings @ 6:25 AM
