Mike Skinner does a smokey burn out at the finish line after winning the San Bernardino 200 at California Speedway. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

After a strong fourth-place finish in Daytona, Mike Skinner and the No. 5 team were looking forward to running at Skinner's home track, California Speedway.

The team knew it had one of the strongest trucks in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, particularly at this speedway, and it proved that point Thursday afternoon during practice. Skinner's Toyota Tundra moved well throughout the draft during the final practice session and wound up third fastest at the end of all practice.

After sitting on the front row the last three years at this speedway, Skinner was determined to start at the front once again. The handling of his Toyota Tundra was extremely loose during his qualifying attempt, but Skinner still managed to post an incredible lap, which was good enough to place him in the second position for Friday night's 100-lap event.

When the green flag waved Friday night, Skinner and his TRD horsepower took the lead and led the first lap of the race. Skinner continued to lead until the first caution period on lap 30. He pitted for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment before restarting in second on lap 35.

Skinner reclaimed the lead from Mark Martin on lap 36, and the pair battled for the lead until the next caution period began on lap 51.

After another pit stop, similar to the first of the night, Skinner restarted sixth. He moved through the field quickly and returned to the second position before the next caution on lap 70.

Gambling and deciding not to pit, the team hoped it could finish on fuel. Skinner and crew remained in second place. With three caution flags waving during the last 13 laps, Skinner and crew chief Jeff Hensley soon realized they made the right decision.

With Skinner in the third position with eight laps to go, the first and second-place trucks collided, allowing Skinner to race his way to the front. Skinner took the checkered flag in first place and became the first California native to win at California Speedway.

The team returns to action in three weeks at Atlanta Motor Speedway. With Skinner leading the NCTS point standings and being the defending pole winner at Atlanta, the team is looking forward to racing again soon.