Bristol, TN. (August 25, 2006) - After qualifying the No. 12 Supercuts Dodge seventh, Skinner knew track position, avoiding the wrecks, and patience would be the key to a good finish at the "World's Fastest Half-Mile." With the help of spotter Scott Clodfelter, Skinner did just that scoring a 13th place finish in the Food City 250 Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.
A few early cautions in the 250-lap event allowed Skinner to catch his breath and update crew chief Paul Wolfe on the handling of his racecar.
"She's a little free in, and real tight in the middle," radioed Skinner. "We're going to have to free this thing up when we stop."
Skinner managed to maintain his top-10 position until a caution on lap 67 allowed him to pit for fresh tires, fuel and significant chassis adjustments before returning to the track in 21st place.
Skinner quickly worked his back up through the field breaking into the top-10 in just 30 short laps.
Steering clear of the carnage on the racetrack, Skinner continued his climb through the field piloting the Supercuts Dodge all the way up to third place.
"I'm starting to slide around," Skinner reported on lap 176. "I'm starting to lose grip. These guys on fresh tires are killing me."
"10-4," replied Wolfe. "Hang in there, your lap times are still pretty good. We can't give up track position this late in the race."
A late race caution on lap 208 gave Skinner the opportunity he had so badly wanted as he piloted the Supercuts Dodge on to pit road for four fresh Goodyear tires before returning to action in 24th place.
Skinner expertly guided his machine through traffic to the 15th position before a late race accident brought out the night's final caution. The lengthy caution left Skinner with only a handful of green flag laps to finish his quest to the front. Despite the valiant effort, he would run out of laps having to settle for a 13th place finish in the Supercuts Dodge.
Carlos Contreras makes his return to the No. 12 Supercuts Dodge as the NASCAR Busch Series heads west next weekend for the Ameriquest 300 Saturday at California Speedway on Saturday night. TNT and MRN Radio will broadcast the race live beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Olympia Steel Buildings is a proud co-sponsor of the No.12 Dodge owned by FitzBradshaw Racing
# posted by Olympia Steel Buildings @ 11:29 AM
