Mike Skinner and the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team headed to "Sin City" to race at the newly-configured Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday night. The team turned the momentum from its second-place finish last week at New Hampshire International Speedway into a victory in Vegas. The No. 5 Toyota Tundra team made winning look easy with a dominating performance.

Mike Skinner led the speed chart after both practice sessions Saturday. He told his crew the truck was awesome, and he could run anywhere on the track. Crew chief Jeff Hensley and the No. 5 Toyota Tundra crew simulated a couple of changes they would make during the race to see how the truck would react. The competition was soon abuzz about the No. 5 truck, which emerged as the favorite to win the race.

Skinner entered the qualifying session aiming for his third consecutive pole position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He believed his late qualifying draw would be advantageous. His belief was correct. Skinner's lap of 30.326 seconds bested the field, and he captured his series-leading sixth pole of the season.

When the green flag was displayed to the field for the start of the 146-lap event, it seemed Skinner was catapulted from a rocket ship. In 24 laps, Skinner had a four second lead on the second place driver. He told his crew that the truck's handling was a bit loose on the long run, and it was loosing the nose off of turn four. The handling issue was not apparent by Skinner's blistering lap times.

The No. 5 Toyota Tundra rolled down the pit lane under caution on lap 25 for routine service. The team also made an air pressure adjustment and returned Skinner to the track in second place.

Skinner did not remain second long. It only took two laps for him to retake the lead, which he held for another 42 laps. Skinner made his final pit stop of the night under caution on lap 76. The stop was similar to the previous stop, but Skinner restarted in eighth position.

The 1995 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion patiently passed the top seven trucks and soon regained the lead. Skinner and fellow Toyota Tundra driver Ted Musgrave battled ardently for the lead in the closing laps, but it was Skinner who led the race when the checkered flag waved. Skinner led 114 of 146 laps en route to his first victory of the 2006 season.