Mike Skinner OK After Scary Crash

The combination of NASCAR's safety developments over the past decade likely saved another driver from serious injury or worse Friday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

On lap 34, Mike Skinner dove to the low side of Johnny Sauter, caught the infield grass and spun a complete 360 before plowing head first into the third dogleg of the LMS frontstretch during a Camping World Truck Series event. Another truck collided simulaneously with Skinner, flipping the black No. 5 truck on its side.

The truck showered sparks for hundreds of feet before landing right side up, and Skinner incredibly got out completely uninjured.

The race, eventually won by Ron Hornaday Jr. after yet another post-race rant from second-place Kyle Busch (more on that later), was red-flagged for a period after Skinner's hard impact damaged the SAFER barrier.

After emerging from his crashed vehicle and taking the obligatory ride to the infield care center for a quick check-up, Skinner wasn't pleased with the events that led up to his hard crash.

"I went to pass an idiot, and he ran me down into the grass," said Skinner. "It was a really, really stupid rookie move by a veteran. [...] I probably should have let off the gas, waited another lap."

That 'idiot' Skinner was referring to was Johnny Sauter, who pinched Skinner into the grass. Moreso, Skinner was incredibly thankful for all of the safety devices that allowed him to walk away.

"That kind of impact a few years ago would have sent you off there in a helicopter with your head taped to a board," said Skinner, referring to being placed on a medical helicopter.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

5-16-2009 @ 8:09AM

obamaizadope said...

I don't care how good Kyle is, at some point the boy has to grow up. You turned the leader into the fence son, take your medicine..

5-16-2009 @ 10:29AM

sportsguyr said...

There is a definite racing line the drivers use to negotiate the "dogleg" on the front straight at LMS. It looked like Sauter had the preferred line...and there's no reason for him to give it up to Skinner.

5-16-2009 @ 10:39AM

Martin said...

Ever notice how everyone going faster than you is a moron and everyone going slower than you is an idiot? AANNDDD it is always the other guy who caused the accident? ROTFLMAO

5-16-2009 @ 10:46AM

carllovelace said...

When NAPCAR is on TV please: "Don't wake me up."

5-16-2009 @ 10:47AM

jusasmile823 said...

Sheesh, Kyle Busch is punk azz and always will be until he grows up and takes it like a REAL MAN does. Always crying about some stupid crap cause he didn't win. What's the matter Kyle, didn't your mommie teach you to about being a poor looser??? He did'nt even mention anything like " I hope Skinner is ok or nothing like that, but you can bet your azz if he was him in that terriable accident, it still would have been, poor me!!! Geeze Louise Kyle, grow up!!!!

5-16-2009 @ 10:49AM

discos72 said...

i love the kyle haters,i thought this was about skinner and his crash caused by sauter,how did it become about kyle,come on admit it your closet kyle fans,or just plain obsessed,either way your gonna make hime a legend with all the talk about him,every legends career started alot like this.

5-16-2009 @ 12:06PM

handhplymouth said...

They mentioned that punk kyle threw another tantrum. That is why he is mentioned in comments. If you were not a stupid kyle fan you would realize that. If he does not win he just runs away.

5-16-2009 @ 1:21PM

kimi87114 said...

ahhhhhh....that is a typical response to justify the crybabies actions! Others may not have been loved at first sight BUT (ONLY) Busch is disrespectful and doesn't admit his less then slug behavior! I don't ever recall a driver who said I would wreck someone to win a race(like Busch said)then turn around and cry about it when done onto him as he would have done! He's a complete Donkey!!!!

5-17-2009 @ 7:32AM

Mel said...

Love him or hate him, Kyle Busch is probably the most talented driver in NASCAR - he has no fear, and takes his car where no one else would think was even possible, as evidenced in the final laps of the All Star race on Saturday at Lowes Motor Speedway.

5-16-2009 @ 10:50AM

Burn said...

The Indy Racing league invented the SAFER Barrier.

5-16-2009 @ 12:08PM

The safer barrier was invented at the university of nebraska.

5-16-2009 @ 10:56AM

Patrick said...

I think Mike Skinner needs to look at the replay of his accident. If you ask me, the only 1 who did something wrong was him. He is the one who tried to make it3-4 wide by going underneath the driver he was trying to pass. The cars he wrecked should be calling him out as an idiot for causing the accident. Guess he figures if you blame the other guy first, no one will actually tell you, you made the rookie mistake

5-16-2009 @ 11:03AM

hilryshaves said...

Without the safer barrier, Skinner is as dead as Dale Sr. ..

5-16-2009 @ 11:11AM

len said...

Skinner caused his own wreck. He wasn't in position to overtake Sauter, actually blocking Sauter's natural line. Should have backed off knowing that, but then Skinner isn't what anyone would call a brain. And Kyle will kill someone someday with his it's-all-about-me attitude.

5-16-2009 @ 11:14AM

goodearth10 said...

Mike Skinner called somebody an idiot? That is the pot calling the kettle black.

5-16-2009 @ 11:32AM

Taz said...

He called himself the idiot...for making a rookie mistake when he should have known not to.

5-16-2009 @ 11:22AM

bevi1001 said...

nascar is so lame!!! To say you need a dead guy #3 jerk of the century who thought he was an intimidator. to bring the so called sport back.LMAO
The sport was ruined by the COT and Brian France.
The way nascar used to be run was what made people like Dale SR, Rusty and others. Now its just a lame boring merry go round.

5-16-2009 @ 11:24AM

wally said...

I can't believe people waste there time watching trucks go around in circles,
who cares.

5-16-2009 @ 11:38AM

Ironhead said...

I looked at the replay over and over and I believe that skinner picked a bad place to pass.
Right in the Tri-oval.....With that said I've
been watching Sauter race for a long time and
Iv'e seen him do that quite a few times. So if
it was me I would not have taken a chance if I new that it was Sauter that I was about to pass
in that spot! We all know that Skinner will pay
back-------Now what Kyle did was WRONG to the #6!
He is GOOD but he also a A$$!!! What really sucks is that Nascar put Kyle in the back for
ruff driving but don't do SHIT to Jr for wrecking
half the field.............Go figure?????