The No. 5 Toyota Tundra (David M. Vaughn Photo)

After a strong test at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in mid-January, the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team knew it would be a contender for the biggest race of the 2007 season.

The team quickly proved it had one of the strongest trucks in the garage. The team was third quickest in the first practice session of the weekend and continued its blistering pace throughout the remaining practice sessions. Skinner's truck maneuvered very well through the draft during each practice.

After capturing the most poles (eight) in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2006, Skinner was an obvious favorite in Thursday night's qualifying session. Even with the rain pouring from the sky during his qualifying laps, Skinner still managed the ninth-fastest lap.

Skinner made his way toward the front soon after the green flag waved Friday night. Before the first lap was complete, Skinner was already in the fifth position. It only took Skinner eight more laps before he made his way into the lead. Many drivers took advantage of the second caution of the night on lap 11 to have their trucks refueled.

After the lap 17 restart, Skinner fell a few positions field but remained within the top 10 for much of the night. When the caution flag waved once again on lap 24, crew chief Jeff Hensley asked Skinner to bring the truck in for four tires and fuel. Skinner restarted 11th on lap 30.

After a long green flag run, Skinner pitted again under caution on lap 51 for four tires, fuel and no adjustments. Despite a loose handling condition, Skinner kept charging forward and regained the lead by lap 60. He pitted for the final time of the night a few laps later. The four tire stop also included a track bar adjustment.

Skinner maintained his position after the lap 67 restart, sometimes bumping and banging just to gain a spot or two. Several Toyota Tundras teamed up on the last lap, resulting in a fourth-place finish for Skinner.

The team returns to action this week at California Speedway. Skinner has qualified on the front row in three of his last four visits to the track. The race can be seen live Friday, Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. (EST) on the SPEED Channel.