Childress struggling with Skinner team

[MountaineerTom]

From Thatsracin.com

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Car owner Richard Childress has already had to deal with the death of one of his Winston Cup drivers this season, seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt in a last-lap wreck at the Daytona 500.

Now, he's becoming frustrated in the performance of his second team with driver Mike Skinner.

"It's disappointing. We're doing everything we can to try to turn it around," Childress said. "We've had some pretty good cars in some places, but we can't seem to put 500 miles together, or 400 miles.

"We're trying to talk to the whole race team. We're a lot better race team than where we are right now, by far."

After seven races, Skinner is 26th in points with one top-10 finish. Since joining the Winston Cup series full-time in 1997 with Childress, Skinner has no wins, five poles, 10 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes. His best points finish was 10th in 1999.

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I think Childress should fire Skinner and put me in the 31 car!  lol

[Guest Friz]

RCR will end up dumping him. He has the best equipment money can buy, RCR has made personnel changes to try and suit him, And he can't win.

I've heard rumors too that most of his team can't stand him. He is supposedly a major a**hole when things don't go his way.

Good race today! I was really hoping that Rudd could have pulled it off, but I knew that DJ would not give it to him. I think it would have been a hollow victory if DJ held back so that Rudd and Havoline could get a win.

[MountaineerTom]

Quote: from Friz on 5:19 pm on April 8, 2001

I think it would have been a hollow victory if DJ held back so that Rudd and Havoline could get a win.

Me too.  I don't like the "team orders" that F-1 and Indy cars have.  It's just not right to take away a win from someone who's earned it.  I really don't think that would ever happen in NASCAR.  At least I hope not.  I was hoping Rudd could hold off DJ also, but didn't really think he could.

Funny thing, since Earnhardt's death I've found myself kinda hoping other drivers can win that I never would have pulled for or hoped for a win before his death.

[General Lee 01]

Subject #1 Skinner:

I'm willing to bet money he'll be outta that ride when silly Season comes up this year if he doesn't get a win.

#2 Today's Race:

It was a good one, I wished Rudd woud've won it, but a team 1-2 isn't bad at all.

(This is probably a stupid thing to ask but...) Is it just me or is this season the most dramatic season ever?

 

[General Lee 01]

Well, I just went to Racingone.com and they say he's upset cause he feels he should've had the oportunity to drive the Goodwrench car.

[Guest Friz]

Wah wah wah!

If he had any talent, he probably would be.

My theory: As long as RCR had Dale, they could afford to take a chance on a "new" guy. Dale was the breadwinner.

Now RCR has Harvick, who is impressive, but will this streak last? Harvick is also scheduled to drive the 30 AOL car next year. Jeff green may be in one of RCR's cars. Let's just say for now that Skinner stays in the 31.

Who's the money  maker?

Harvick, with one year of WC competition under his belt?

Skinner, who's been trying for years with the best equipment available and no win?

Jeff Green, who's been booted out of WC once, but has made incredible gains since then?

I say, look for RCR to go hunting for a proven winner.

Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, possibly even Steve Park, to name a few that he may look at to work for him.

[Kansas Kid]

I agree with Friz on this one.  If Skinner had half the talent of DE, he probably could be in that ride.  I have heard on other racing forums that the team has lost faith in him as a driver.  If what the General says is true, who can blame them.

I have also heard that RCR is looking for a big name driver.  Drivers names I have heard mentioned include Jeff Burton and Jeremy Mayfield.  By the end of summer Harvick is going to be one burned out guy, so lets so how good he is running by then.

[antig24]

Harvick is alot better than Skinner and Harvick hasn't ran that many winston cup races.

[Guest Friz]

News Flash!

Just caught RPM 2day on the ESPN2 and there is a rumor in the WC garage that Matt Kenseth may be going to RCR next year!

That has got to be killing Mark Martin.

[MountaineerTom]

I just heard that too.  That would be a major shake up.  If it happens, I would bet Martin would be pretty ticked off since he was so involved in getting Kenseth a ride with Roush.  

I like the idea myself.

[Guest Friz]

I bet that if it is true, Rousch will stop supporting him the minute it is announced. I don't think that JR will takes lightly to someone dumping him.

[Elwood]

Skinner is overrated.  He'll never cut it, RCR should drop the dead weight at the end of the season.  As for Harvick, he's got great potential and he has shown alot of poise stepping in where he did.  I think he handled himself pretty good.  I'd like to see RCR pick up someone else and drop Skinner, but I hope they leave Harvick in the ride he is in.  Steve Park may be a great addition, but I would hate to see him leave DEI.  But I'm sure Childress will find somebody, I vote for Kenseth or a more seasoned veteran like Rusty.

[Guest Friz]

Skinner should have stayed in the truck series. I doubt that Park would jump to RCR, but he is the type of driver that I think RCR is looking for.

Harvick will be moving to the #30 AOL car next year. That was already a done deal before Dale got killed.

[antig24]

Jeff Green will be driveing the #30 AOL car next year and Kevin Harvick will stay in the #29 GM Goodwrench Service Plus car next year.

(Edited by antig24 at 6:31 pm on May 1, 2001)

[Guest Friz]

Where did you hear that? I thought from the get-go that Harvick was going to the 30 team in '02. He was to drive the 29 this year only.