The No. 5 team looked forward to racing at O'Reilly Raceway Park. In his first two visits to the famed short track, Mike Skinner led every lap and won both events. The No. 5 Toyota Tundra team expected the same results Friday night, as it was confident in both its truck and its driver's abilities.

The team struggled to find a balance in both of Friday morning's practice sessions. Skinner told his team the truck would not turn in the middle of the corners, and it handled tight upon exit. The team made a slew of changes to the truck, but every change seemed to be for the worst. Finally, with less than 15 minutes remaining in practice, Skinner said the truck was starting to come around and was the best it had been all day. The team was still concerned about how the truck would perform for 200 laps but retained the utmost confidence in its driver.

Skinner made his qualifying attempt late in time trials, which the team believed would prove advantageous. Skinner, known as one of the best qualifiers in the business, posted a lap of 22.697 seconds—good enough for the eighth spot. The half-second gain from practice lifted the team's spirit.

Skinner held steady in the top 10 from the very start of the race. On lap 27, he reported that the truck handled a little tight up off the corners, making passing difficult. Crew chief Jeff Hensley and the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team made plans to adjust the truck during the first pit stop.

When the caution flag was displayed to the field on lap 58, the No. 5 team prepared to service its truck two laps later. Significant wedge and air pressure adjustments were on order, along with four tires and fuel. Skinner restarted 10th on lap 63.

Skinner reported on lap 79 that the changes really did not help, and the truck was still tight on exit. Skinner fell to 12th by the halfway point of the event, but knew a lot could change in the closing laps.

When the caution flag waved on lap 125, Hensley decided to roll the dice. Realizing the importance of track position on the tight oval, he directed his team to change only two tires when Skinner reported to the pits on lap 128. Hensley's quest to place Skinner back in the top 10 was successful; Skinner restarted sixth on lap 134.

However, as the laps ticked by, it seemed the strategy was flawed. Skinner communicated to his crew that the truck was sliding all over the track, and he was barely holding on. By lap 160, the No. 5 Toyota Tundra had fallen to 13th.

The team used a caution on lap 167 to change all four tires. It also made an air pressure adjustment to the truck, hoping to help Skinner battle his way back into the top 10.

Skinner stood 23rd with less than 40 circuits remaining. He battled for the remainder of the race to gain positions and crossed the finish line in the 18th spot.