Mike Skinner is eighth in driver points this season. Credit: Autostock

Skinner to remain driver of No. 5 Toyota thru '09

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Bill Davis Racing has announced that Mike Skinner will return to the organization as the driver of the No. 5 Toyota Tundra in the Craftsman Truck Series through the 2009 season.

The 1995 Craftsman Truck Series champion has been behind the wheel of a Toyota Tundra since the manufacturer entered the NASCAR realm in 2004.

	Credit: Autostock
	Inside the Numbers Mike Skinner in No. 5   2006 Total Starts 24 56 Wins 1 3 Top-5s 8 17 Top-10s 13 28 Poles 7 16 Avg. Start 5.6 6.9 Avg. Finish 13.2 15.1 • Driver Page | 2006 stats Truck Series career Starts 128 Wins 19 Top-5s 58 Top-10s 76 Poles 28 Avg. Start 7.0 Avg. Finish 11.2

"We are really excited Mike will be behind the wheel of the No. 5 truck for three more years," Davis said. "Mike and the No. 5 team have really done a great job and are a threat to win week in and week out. Skinner has been an important member of the NASCAR community for many years, and we are looking forward to three more great years.

"Toyota has proven to be a great partner both on and off the track. They know what it takes to win, and we feel that, with the Tundra and Mike Skinner, we have another shot to win a championship."

"Mike has been an important part of the Toyota Tundra program since we began competing in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2004," said Jim Aust, TRD (Toyota Racing Development) U.S.A. president and CEO. "He's also a great representative for the Toyota program away from the track."

Since joining Bill Davis Racing in September 2004, Skinner has captured three wins, including a dominating victory earlier in 2006 at the newly remodeled Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The NASCAR veteran has compiled 17 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes since joining the organization three-quarters of the way through the 2004 season. He also has 16 Bud Poles in 56 starts for BDR.

"I am looking forward to next year," Skinner commented. "[Crew chief] Jeff Hensley and all of the guys on this Toyota Tundra team have given their hearts and souls to making this truck run fast, and I am really pumped about coming back to drive the No. 5 truck for three more years.

"Toyota has an awesome program. I am honored to be their flagship. It is great to know every week when we get on the track we have a Tundra good enough to win. Toyota builds a great product both on and off the track, and I am looking forward three more years as their driver.

"Bill and Gail Davis have become such great friends to [wife] Angie and I. They have built a great organization there in High Point and put a great product on the track every week. I am looking forward to three more great years as one of their drivers."