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Skinner earns win in the Built Ford Tough 225

Jul 15, 2007 - 4:55 AM SPARTA, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Veteran Mike Skinner won Saturday night's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway.

It was the 23rd career victory in 142 races for Skinner, who averaged 127.175 miles per hour in the series' second-fastest race this season. The native of Susanville, California won $86,425 and watched his points standings lead grow to 164 over Ron Hornaday, who finished 10th.

The 50-year-old, who won his fourth race in 2007 in a Toyota Tundra, also posted victories in the second, third and fourth events this year. He set a record by leading his 13th consecutive race, all this season.

"I had a dominant truck," Skinner said. "You always wait for something to happen, but it didn't. We tried to slow down, stay clean and run one-half second ahead of the second-place truck. It was perfect.

"We could handle in the corner and stay out in front, and that makes a driver's job easier. We've got plenty of poles (seven), but we needed a win. We needed a top-five (finish) tonight, and we got it done."

Driving a Ford F-150, Travis Kvapil finished ahead of veteran Ted Musgrave, who came in third in a Toyota.

"I'm happy with second," Kvapil said. "I'm disappointed in the overall point battle because the leader kicked our tails."

Musgrave was back behind the wheel after serving a suspension last week.

"It is frustrating to see a truck drive away like (Skinner's) did," Musgrave said. "It's almost like your heart falls out. Our team gave me a top-five truck, but I wish I could've won one here."

Pole-sitter Ryan Mathews was fourth in a Toyota, while David Green rounded out the top five, also in a Toyota.

It was a career-best finish for Green, who was driving in place of the indefinitely suspended Aaron Fike.