Local friend helps Skinner back to Daytona
By Buddy Shacklette, Staff Writer send an email to buddy.shacklette@news-jrnl.com
February 11, 2012 12:10 AM
SAMSULA -- New Smyrna Beach business owner E.J. Wilcoxon wasn't looking to buy a 1967 El Camino, but it was the only way he could get one-on-one with his Spruce Creek Fly-In neighbor -- NASCAR driver Mike Skinner.
Little did they know that transaction 12 years ago would lead to a long-term friendship, and it would eventually help get Skinner to Daytona International Speedway this Speedweeks for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250.
"I told him I would pay his price (for that El Camino), but that I wouldn't be a good negotiator if he didn't come and do a commercial for me," said Wilcoxon, a 47-year-old Mainland graduate. "He kept buffing the car and said, 'You remind me a little of myself.' I'll do it."
Around 40 commercials together later, they're going racing "together" Feb. 24 in the No. 8 Eddie Sharp Racing Chevrolet. On Skinner's quarterpanel will be an ad for American Auto & Tire, a business Wilcoxon started 23 years ago with $87 in his pocket.
"We went to a lot of relationships that we know and said, 'Hey, help us out a little bit, it's a good deal,' " Skinner said. "E.J. was the first guy to step up and say, 'I want a spot on that thing somewhere,' and it's just going to be kind of a group effort to run Daytona."
Skinner, an area resident for 10 years who has since become a snowbird from Statesville, N.C., will wheel a truck purchased from Kevin Harvick Inc., which won championships in 2007 and 2009 with Ron Hornaday Jr. The truck was a backup last season for Nelson Piquet Jr. at Talladega, where he qualified on the outside of the front row. In it will be a Richard Childress Racing engine.
Team owner Eddie Sharp will also field two other trucks at DIS with Cale Gale and Justin Lofton.
"I'm the red-headed stepchild on this thing, although I have the most experience of any of them," Skinner said. "This was an opportunity, and it just happened to be a Chevrolet. The extras from the other two teams are going to do this effort. If the sponsor comes up with the money, we have someone in mind to crew chief the team."
Skinner -- who started 21 Sprint Cup races last season, mostly with start-and-park teams -- was content to sit on the sidelines in 2012, but he said this Truck ride could turn into a full-time effort if a particular sponsor -- which he would not name -- comes up with the money.
At 54, the grandfather of four said it's this or nothing, and that his start-and-park days are likely over.
"I have not pursued any of that and it's probably stupid on my part as a businessman, but I'm a racer. I want to race," Skinner said. "Even though I could get into a couple of cars and race, they're not cars that I would ever have a chance. "That's really not who I am and what I want to do."
Instead, Skinner is getting by with a little help from his friends.
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM