In 15 races this season, only one thing has remained a constant - Mike Skinner leading a lap. Skinner has led the field in every race this season, including 102 laps during the last race at Nashville Superspeedway. Those laps led on the 1.333-mile track pushed Skinner’s miles led to over 1,000 for the season, the fifth time the feat has been accomplished in series history.
Skinner previously had reached 1,000 miles led in 1996 and finished third in the standings. It was the only time a driver led over 1,000 miles and failed to win the championship.
Skinner has led the most laps in seven races this season. He has won four of those seven (California Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Martinsville and Kentucky Speedway. ) The bonus points he has accumulated from running up front have helped pad his tight points lead over Ron Hornaday Jr. Skinner’s 82-point lead can be attributed to his 100 bonus points compared to 55 for Hornaday.
As impressive as his laps led streak is this season, the streak actually stretches back to 2006. Skinner has at least one lap led in every race since Atlanta Motor Speedway last October, a streak of 19 consecutive races.
Drivers With Over 1,000 Miles Led
Driver Miles Year Finish
Sprague 1,443.0 2001 1st
Skinner 1,136.9 1996 3rd
Biffle 1,128.4 2000 1st
Sprague 1,074.6 1997 1st
Skinner 1,006.9 2007 ?
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