Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Mike Skinner won his second consecutive pole to
break his own mark for Craftsman Truck Series poles in a single season (10)
which he set in 1995. The No.5 Toyota circled the fast one-mile flat Phoenix
International Raceway oval in 27.418 seconds (131.301 m.p.h.).
The pole victory was the record 42nd of Skinner's truck career. The pole
winner has won five of 16 events in the series.
"I really didn't expect it (the pole win), I really felt like we left
something on the table," said Skinner. "This is for Gail Davis, she's been
wanting this record moved to Bill Davis Racing and I'm glad I got to be a part
of it."
Starting alongside Skinner will be Matt Crafton, who posted a time of 28.441
seconds.
Travis Kvapil (27.444) and Kevin Harvick (27.467) will make up row two.
It's deja vu all over again in the Craftsman Truck Series. Thirteen years ago,
in 1995, the season was winding down and Skinner held a small lead over Ron
Hornaday Jr. (starting ninth). Skinner won the finale to clinch the inaugural
truck series title.
After a third-place finish last Friday by Skinner and a late race accident to
Hornaday Jr., Skinner brings a 57-point lead to the PIR.
The differential is one of the closest with two races to go and the closest
since Bobby Hamilton brought a slim seven-point edge over Dennis Setzer to PIR
in 2004.
The race is set to drop the green flag on Friday at 8 p.m. (et).