(Photo by Scott Frazier)
Inside Line Promotions – WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (June 21, 2021) – A dominating performance earned Marshall Skinner the laurels during the Greg Hodnett Memorial Saturday night at Riverside International Speedway.
The veteran sprint car driver led every lap of all three races he ran to score the biggest victory of his career.
“This was my biggest win, by far, in 31 years of racing,” he said. “Not only was it a prestigious race in memory of one of the best drivers, it was also the most money I’ve ever won when you include the lap money.
“This race was extra special for me because I was in the stands watching at Riverside when I was around 10- to 12-years-old when Greg won his first race there. I told his mom in Victory Lane Saturday night that I remember her spraying him with champagne the night he won his first race there.
“Making it all even better were all the people who congratulated me. There must’ve been a hundred people waiting for me at my trailer when I took my car back after the race. It was definitely a night I’ll never forget.”
Skinner raced to unchallenged wins in his heat race and the dash.
“I started front row in both races,” he said. “I got the lead on the first lap and was able to pull away each time. My car felt really good. I won my heat by over half a lap and the dash by a straightaway.”
Skinner started on the pole for the night’s main event with Dale Howard alongside.
“I was able to beat Dale to the flag stand to get the lead right away,” he said. “But the lapped traffic got pretty gnarly in a hurry. They started 25 cars so I was lapping cars after just a couple of laps.
“There was a red flag around Lap 17. They interviewed me and I told them I was either going to win the race or wad the car up and I truly meant it. I don’t think I’ve ever been more determined to win a race. Dale threw a Hail Mary slider on me going into turn one on a restart, but I kept my foot in it and beat him off turn two. That was about the only challenge I had.
“I really appreciate (track owner) Clayton Allen for putting on this race and everything he does to make it special. He does it because Greg was his cousin. Clayton gave me a really cool trophy for winning. It’s a picture of Greg’s induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame from a couple weeks ago. It’s a one-off trophy and there will never be another like it. That’s pretty special.”
After a four-year victory drought, Saturday marked Skinner’s second win in as many weeks.
“It’s a lot easier to run hard when you don’t have to worry so much about the financial consequences,” he said. “I’ve built up my racing account enough through my side work to where I don’t have to worry so much about tearing the car up because I have the money to fix it. That makes a huge difference.”
Skinner plans on returning to Riverside International Speedway this Saturday for his next race.
QUICK RESULTS –
June 19 – Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark. – Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 1 (2); Feature: 1 (1).
SEASON STATS –
14 races, 2 wins, 8 top fives, 10 top 10s, 13 top 15s, 13 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Saturday at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark.
MEDIA LINKS –
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sprint26
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marshall-Skinner-Motorsports-207879425896412/
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – FK Rod Ends
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“I’ve been using FK Rod Ends for about 12 years now,” Skinner said. “They’re great quality parts. I really appreciate the support Maria gives me and also my boys with their go-karts.”
Skinner would also like to thank J&J Auto Racing, Stinson’s Industrial, Final Touch Auto Collision Center, Gant Concrete Pumping, Big Earl Farms, B&D Towing and Recovery, DHR Suspension, Robert Thorne Landscaping, American Outdoor Inc., CnB Chubby, West Tennessee Expediting, Xtreme Race Graphics, Water & Wastewater Services, Cooper Racing Enterprises, BB&T Racing, FSR Radiators, Hinchman Racewear, Killer Coatings, Bell Helmets, Engler Machine & Tool, Inc., Schoenfeld Headers, DMI, Huggins Cams, KDN Promotions, Deatherage Opticians, Custom Heat & Air, Hedger Brothers Concrete, Quality Flooring and Cleaning and Commercial Equipment Co. for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Jun 21, 2021
- Article Date: 6/21/2021 by Inside Line Promotions