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Skinner Slips Past Sprague At Kroger 200

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The Associated Press

Published: October 21, 2007

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Mike Skinner sneaked into the lead and held off Jack Sprague for the final 66 laps, helped along by numerous cautions that made the Kroger 200 Craftsman Truck Series race look like a brawl.

The race was red-flagged with seven laps to go after an accident coming out of Turn 4 that involved at least nine trucks and left wreckage and fluid strewn everywhere.

It went back to green for a three-lap dash to finish, and with the trucks behind him jockeying, Skinner sailed off to his series-best fifth victory of the season. Fittingly, the final lap ended with one more pileup.

Skinner, who started the race 14 points behind Ron Hornaday Jr. in the championship battle, moved 11 points ahead, the fourth time in the past five races the drivers have swapped the top spot. Hornaday, who did his share of beating and banging on the tight, 0.526-mile oval, rallied to finish third and has four races to make up the difference.

He's seeking his third truck series championship, Skinner his second.

The victory, achieved after Skinner and the rest of the leaders made their only pit stop just 27 laps in, was Skinner's 24th in the series and second here this season.

'I expected probably a lot more mix-up right there at the end,' Skinner said. 'I knew that Jack was hungry for a win, and he definitely played it like a true champion. He could have wrecked us. He chose not to, and the only thing I can say is if the shoe's on the other foot sometime, I can pay him back and give him the same respect.'

Massa Edges Hamilton For Brazilian GP Pole

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Felipe Massa took the pole Saturday for the decisive Brazilian Grand Prix, with overall leader Lewis Hamilton beside him in position to become Formula One's youngest champion.
Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso - Hamilton's rivals for the title - will start in the second row, with Raikkonen third and Alonso fourth.

'I think we sit in good position,' Hamilton said. 'It's a good place for us to start.'

Massa, the defending champion, drove his Ferrari around the 2.6-mile counterclockwise Interlagos track in 1 minute, 11.931 seconds.

'This is sensational,' Massa said. 'And hopefully the guys behind me will have a good fight. It will be very nice for these fans to watch a good race. Hopefully I can go for the victory.'

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