Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR
For 1995 Craftsman Truck Series champion, Mike Skinner, 2011 was not the kind of year he probably had hoped. For most of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Skinner found himself playing the role of a start and park driver for Germain Racing's number 60 car. Skinner started 21 of the 36 events in 2011, missing out on nine other events he attempted to start. Skinner notched his best finish in his first race of the year at Phoenix driving for Frankie Stoddard's 32 Ford team with a 24th place effort. Counting the early season events at Phoenix and Las Vegas, Skinner only attempted to run the full distance in three events. The third came as a fill-in for Dave Blaney who fell ill prior to the start of the Advocare 500 at Atlanta.
Neither Skinner or the pit crews he drove for in 2011 faced penalties from NASCAR thanks to being in the start and park role. Skinner's penalties came in the form of having to start at the rear of two events, the afore mentioned event at Atlanta and at Charlotte in the Coca-Cola 600 due to having to go to a backup car for the race. In addition, Skinner was penalzied three times for entering the pits when they were closed.
2011 Statistics For Mike Skinner
Was Not Eligable For Points
0 top 5s
0 top 10s
Best Finish: 24th in the Subway Fresh Fit 500
3 laps led
2011 Penalty Report For Mike Skinner
Race 10 - Pitting before pit road is open, Garage
Race 12 - Pre-Race to the rear, Tail of Field Back-Up
Race 17 - Pitting before pit road is open, tail end
Race 25 - Pre-Race to the rear, Tail of Field Driver Change
Race 33 - Pitting before pit road is open, Garage