Mike Skinner and the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team arrived in the home of the blues with one mission: to finish the race in the top 10. Memphis Motorsports Park was one of three tracks on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit on which the 1995 Champion had not posted a top-10 finish, and the team was determined to narrow that list to only two tracks.

The No. 5 team struggled with an extremely loose-handling race truck during the first practice session. Skinner told his team his truck was so loose, he could not drive it. The team made huge alterations to the chassis of the truck, including changing the springs, shocks and swaybars and moving the nose weight. Nothing seemed to help, and the team was left wondering how to make the truck comfortable for Skinner.

Things started to look better in the final practice session. Skinner explained to his crew that the truck was responding to the changes, and the handling was starting to tighten. Crew chief Jeff Hensley began fine-tuning the truck for the race, and by the end of final practice session, the No. 5 team expected a solid run during the 200-lap event.

Skinner lined up 10th for the start of the event, scoring the team's 10th top-10 start of the 2006 campaign. Four laps into the event, Skinner reported to his crew that the truck was good on entry to the corners but a little tight in the gas. Hensley assured his driver that adjustments would be made during the first pit stop. By lap 10, Skinner had moved into the ninth position.

The No. 5 team serviced its truck under caution on lap 62. The four-tire stop included slight trackbar and air pressure adjustments. A lightning-fast pit stop placed Skinner seventh for the restart on lap 66.

On lap 70, Skinner communicated that the truck felt really good, and he was taking care of his tires. He moved into the sixth position 20 laps later and was posting lap times as fast as those of the leader.

With 50 laps remaining in the event, Skinner stated that the right-rear tire was worn out, and he was having a hard time getting through the corners. The race had an uncharacteristically long green flag run—lasting for more than 90 laps—and the competitors were starting to wear out their tires. Skinner fell into the clutches of other trucks and sat 13th with 30 laps to go.

Luckily for the No. 5 team, the caution flag waved five laps later. The crew prepared for the final pit stop of the night, knowing a good stop could result in a top-10 finish. Skinner pitted for four tires and fuel on lap 177 and gained five positions via the team's fast work.

Skinner held the ninth spot for the final 20 laps, despite being challenged by the No. 14 truck. It was his first top-10 finish at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Skinner and the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team have two weeks off before the next race in Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 4.