Skinner enjoys solid Daytona debut

Published 8:58 am Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The 39 car received damage after getting caught up in the multi-car melee after Skinner crossed the finish line.

Local racing sensation Fain Skinner added a successful finish at the Daytona International Speedway to his list of accomplishments Saturday afternoon.

When the green flag dropped for the starting of Saturday’s 2012 ARCA Series Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona, Skinner began moving the number 39 CarportEmpire.com Ford Fusion forward, cutting his way through traffic in the 43 car field.

Skinner qualified to begin the race in 22nd place, which is rather impressive for a first time starter at DIS. The car was fielded by DGM Racing.

According to Carport Empire President Kevin Keen, who is also a primary sponsor of Skinner’s number 39 Ford, the race car was set up for racing more so than for qualifying.

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Fellow racer and racing enthusiast Billy Barstow said that DGM Racing Owner and Crew Chief Mario Grosselin is a perfectionist and makes things to fly.

By the time the race reached lap 24, Skinner had piloted the race car into the 11th position. The 26-year-old Live Oak native found himself in 10th place on lap 53. By lap 61, he had comfortably eased into 8th place.

For over half of the race, Skinner maintained a position in the top 12. Over 20 percent of the race he ran with ease and precision in the top 10.

On lap 68, the number 48 Ford of James Hylton crashed, bringing out a caution, prompting  the 39 team to call Skinner onto pit road for fuel. As a result, Skinner was shuffled back into 19th place. By lap 78, he was in familiar territory, riding in his starting position of 22nd. With only a few laps to go before the checkered flag, Skinner began slicing his way back up through the field and completed the race with an impressive 15th place finish.

“We had a top 10 car or better all night,” Keen said of the number 39 Ford. “It’s just Daytona.”

Keen, who is very excited and impressed with Skinner’s abilities recognized that the Live Oak native, who happens to race cars, possesses the skill level to have finished first in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. However, he realizes that anything is possible at the World Center of Racing in Daytona and a top car can just as easily finish in the back of the pack.

The race, which was mostly led by Brandon McReynolds, son of famed NASCAR Crew Chief Larry McReynolds, in the number four Turner Motorsports Chevrolet. However, it was a familiar face in victory lane after the checkered flag waved. Bobby Gerhart of Lebanon, Pa. claimed his 9th victory at DIS.

At the end of the race, three or four cars ran out of gas triggering a multi-car melee that collected Skinner after he crossed the finish line. Fortunately, he was not injured.

“He was very calm and very comfortable,” Barstow commented. “He really impressed me out there.”

While Skinner is impressive to watch on the track, he is equally impressive off the track. During the hours leading up to the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, dozens of fans enjoyed the opportunity to drop by the hauler of the 39 Ford for an autograph, have their photos taken with Skinner and wish him well before the race.

As some of the other up and coming drivers canvassed the garage area appearing to seek photo opportunities, Skinner casually focused on the race near his hauler, spending time with his family, friends and fans.

“It was exciting to have the opportunity to race at Daytona,” Skinner said.

According to Skinner, the experience will prove invaluable and while DIS doesn’t place the physical demands on drivers that some tracks do, it is a mentally demanding track.

With Daytona under his belt, Skinner now looks to build on that success while competing in the Talladega ARCA 250 in May, along with several truck races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.