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Mike Skinner looks to make the record books agian this week in Kansas. (David M. Vaughn Photo) |
Last year Mike Skinner sat on the pole at Kansas en route to eight poles total last year, the most of any driver in the NCTS. He seems to be headed down the same path in 2007, already winning two poles out of the first four races.
This week's race truck for Kansas Speedway is Chassis No. 5-78. This is the same truck that Mike ran and won with at both the California Speedway and the Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this year.
Skinner remains the NCTS points leader after winning three in a row at Martinsville. He remains 94 points ahead of second place Todd Bodine in the Championship points.
After winning three in a row in Martinsville, Skinner became the first series driver in history to win three in a row twice matching his 1996 performance. This weekend at Kansas, he will attempt to win four straight races. If he succeeds, Skinner will be the first driver to ever accomplish four consecutive wins in a row.
J.B. Fiske, who works on the No. 5 team, is from Solomon, Kan. Fiske runs fuel for the team on raceday and drives Mike and Angie Skinner's coach from race to race.
Skinner along with Toyota teammate Todd Bodine participated in the 33rd Annual Toyota Grand Prix in Long Beach, CA on April 14. With many celebrities entered in the event Skinner would cross the finish line first in the professional category and fourth overall.
Mike Skinner on racing at Kansas Speedway:
"I love going to Kansas. It is really a neat place, especially for JB (Skinner's motorcoach driver and gas runner). He is from Solomon, KS and we always love hanging out with his family and friends. There is a place near the track called Cabela's and we love going there as well."
"We ran well there last year, qualified on the pole and had a shot at winning the race until our pit strategy didn't pan out. Jeff (Hensley, crew chief) and I have come up with a different plan this time and hopefully we can go in there and come out with a top-5 or top-10 finish. Consistency is the key this year for the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team and so far it seems to be working."