Injured knee sidelines Skinner
By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
July 17, 2001
4:28 PM EDT (2028 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. -- Mike Skinner’s injuries, suffered in a lap 23 accident during Sunday’s Tropicana 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, are worse than first thought and are expected to force him out of the seat for as much as four weeks, a team source told NASCAR.com Tuesday.
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Mike Skinner
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Robby Gordon will serve as his replacement in the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet this weekend at Loudon, N.H.
Skinner, 44, was running in the top five when he cut a right front tire and slammed the outside retaining wall in Turn 2. He was originally diagnosed with a mild concussion and a broken left ankle, but it was discovered Tuesday morning that he also tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Skinner was to be evaluated by yet another doctor Tuesday afternoon in Florida to determine the extent of his knee injury, and exactly what to do to expedite the healing process. The injured ankle will require surgery, scheduled for Wednesday.
"From what I understand, they are going to operate on his left ankle tomorrow morning and will look at his knee at a later date," Richard Childress said. "He's going to have a little healing to do here. We were very fortunate to get Robby Gordon, right now, to take over for us at this time.
“Robby drove the (No. 21 car) for RCR in the Busch Series race at Watkins Glen a couple of weeks ago and did an awesome job for us. We’re really going to miss Mike this weekend, but we’re sure Robby will do a good job for us.”
Childress said he had the choice of putting Busch Series veteran Jeff Green in the car, but decided to stick with Gordon.
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Robby Gordon will take over for the injured Mike Skinner at New Hampshire.
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"Jeff Green is one of our drivers, but he's running his Busch Series car and we didn't want to take away from his efforts running for the championship there," Childress said. "Robby was just a natural as he was available and we could put him in there. He'd already worked with the guys on the Rockwell team (Busch Series No. 21 Chevrolet) and we were real pleased with him."
Gordon began the year in the No. 4 Morgan McClure Motorsports Chevrolet, but parted ways with the single-car operation after just five races. He then joined forces with Ultra Motorsports, where he dominated late before finishing a career-best second to Tony Stewart at Sears Point Raceway.
After a short stint in the No. 21 RCR Busch Series ride at Watkins Glen, he returned to the seat of the No. 7 last weekend at Chicagoland.
“I’m really glad to have the opportunity to drive the Lowe’s Chevy this weekend but I wish it was under different circumstances,” Gordon said. “When I raced at Watkins Glen in the Busch race, I learned what a great operation RCR is and how many talented people Richard has working for him.
“I worked with Royce (McGee, crew chief) back when we were racing in the (IMSA) GTO series and I hope we can take Mike’s car and do a good job with it this weekend.”
Skinner is in his fourth-year behind the wheel of the No. 31. He has yet to win a Winston Cup event, but has recorded 10 top-fives and 38 top-10s.
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