Mike Skinner will drive the No. 12 Dodge at Dover, replacing rookie Joel Kauffman. Credit: Autostock

Skinner to sub for Kauffman at Dover

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- FitzBradshaw Racing announced Wednesday NASCAR veteran Mike Skinner will pilot the No.12 Dodge in the Stonebridgeracing.com 200 at Dover International Speedway.

Skinner replaces rookie Joel Kauffman at the tough one-mile oval in a one-race deal. As part of the mutual decision by owner Armando Fitz and Kauffman, the two selected a number of races they felt the rookie would benefit the most from running this season.

"It's so hard for a young driver to develop in the Busch Series with all the Cup drivers who are entered week in and week out," Fitz said. "We feel Joel needs more time to develop into a great driver, and we want the best possible experiences for him to be able to do that."

Skinner is no stranger to the Monster Mile, recording a top-five finish in 2001. His last Busch Series start was at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2003, where he finished seventh.

"Dover's been a good track for me, I've run well there, led some laps, it's where I got my first top-ten finish in Nextel Cup," Skinner said. "It's been a tough year for this team, hopefully I can be of some help, do some good, give some different feedback that may be helpful."