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| Mike Skinner returns at Daytona. |
Former NASCAR Camping World
Truck Series champion Mike Skinner will return to the series for the first time
in nearly a year, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for Eddie Sharp Racing in the
2012 season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Skinner failed to qualify for last year’s NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona in a Sharp entry, before finishing 24th the following week at Phoenix International Raceway. Those were his only two Truck Series outings of 2011, but he made 21 Sprint Cup starts for a number of teams, including Germain Racing, FAS Lane Racing, Tommy Baldwin Racing and Gunselman Motorsports.
The team is still seeking sponsorship for what is currently only a one-race deal, but Skinner said the program could easily be expanded to a full-season effort, if sufficient backing can be found. “If the sponsor gets the funding together -- which they’ve promised they will -- we’ll have someone on the Truck at Daytona. But either way, we’re going to race. My wife has decided to allow me to spend some of the money we’ve worked so hard to make over the years. We’re dipping into our retirement fund, and we’ve been promised by the sponsor that we’ll be reimbursed when the deal is completed.”
Skinner failed to qualify for last year’s NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona in a Sharp entry, before finishing 24th the following week at Phoenix International Raceway. Those were his only two Truck Series outings of 2011, but he made 21 Sprint Cup starts for a number of teams, including Germain Racing, FAS Lane Racing, Tommy Baldwin Racing and Gunselman Motorsports.
The team is still seeking sponsorship for what is currently only a one-race deal, but Skinner said the program could easily be expanded to a full-season effort, if sufficient backing can be found. “If the sponsor gets the funding together -- which they’ve promised they will -- we’ll have someone on the Truck at Daytona. But either way, we’re going to race. My wife has decided to allow me to spend some of the money we’ve worked so hard to make over the years. We’re dipping into our retirement fund, and we’ve been promised by the sponsor that we’ll be reimbursed when the deal is completed.”
Well alrighty then, I do believe Angie needs a new pair of shoes and a Big Bottle of Wine to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteAngie just wants him out of her hair
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Skinner! A top 10 at Daytona will go a long way to securing that sponsorship for the rest of the year! Go get'm!
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear your good news. Good luck Mike.
ReplyDeleteDon't do it @badream
ReplyDeleteGreat news for one of the good guys in the sport.
ReplyDeleteBEST NEWS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWE LOVE YOU MIKE AND ANGIE. SURE HOPE THE SPONSOR COMES THREW FOR THE COMPLETE SEASON,
you cant eat promises mike .glad to see you out there your one of my favs.
ReplyDeleteI would be little worried to put my retirement funds into a racing deal. I have seen too many people getting burned with this type of proposition. Passion is one thing, but retirement money into is another, but Skinner is a Champion, he probably knows better :)
ReplyDeleteCongratz to the Gunslinger and Angie! It's gonna be nice to see him at Daytona. However, I think I know how Angie may feel about this..."and we’ve been promised by the sponsor that we’ll be reimbursed when the deal is completed.”
ReplyDeleteCongrats Mike and Angie, Mike is great!, we are pulling for you at 5F Ranch
ReplyDeleteMike, you are breaking the first rule as a driver. You never spend your own money to race. I have seen this over and over again. It never ends good this way. I understand your a racer, and all racers race no matter what. I wish you all the luck in the world at Daytona.
ReplyDelete