May 6th, 2010 
Journo Most NASCAR drivers like to talk. If things aren’t going well few hesitate to express their issues with those in charge. If they’re mad you can be sure the person on the opposite end will be fully aware of it. And luckily for them if their intended target isn’t willing to listen, there is a media corps that is more than happy to lend an ear and write a story.
Case in point: Mike Skinner.
Skinner of course went to work for David Dollar and Randy Moss last season after Bill Davis Racing closed its doors. The move positioned Skinner well with a team that appeared to be on the rebound/upswing. With veteran crew Eric Phillips on the box, the 52-year-old Skinner and his #5 team were able to score three wins and finish third in the points on a shoe-string budget. In classic Skinner style, he made sure everyone knew their money situation too – but he was a happy guy.
What a difference a year can make. Eric Phillips left the team in the off-season to take over a crew chief position at the new Kyle Busch Motorsports, and with Gene Nead at the helm, the team just hasn’t been the same. After five races Skinner is tenth with only two top-ten finishes. He’s no longer a happy guy.
The frustrated Skinner voiced his discontent with his hand-picked crew chief this past weekend to NASCAR.com.
Note Skinner probably doesn’t actually mean he appreciates Nead’s excursion to help Robby Gordon. As I understand it, the extracurricular activity was supposed to be on the D.L.
Skinner also pointed criticism to Randy Moss for being an absentee owner.
Now I understand Skinner’s frustrations with his team, and I think they are valid criticisms, but generally all of these things are issues you would want handled internally. I know if I’m David Dollar the last thing I want or need is for my driver to be spouting off to the media about the functioning of my organization.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not complaining. It’s always great to see a driver speak his mind. These insightful and at times cringe-worthy moments are what journalism is all about. Remember Kasey Kahne and his ‘I have no idea who is in charge moment’ last year? Priceless.
The media, fortunately for them, and perhaps unfortunately for team owners, can be a public conduit for getting things done. If drivers feel they aren’t being listened to at home, they have a means for broadcasting their grievances to the whole neighborhood. Chances are things will be changed. You can bet the Monday after Kasey Kahne’s comments he knew who was in charge. And I would imagine by now Mike Skinner and David Dollar have had a conversation about his comments this weekend.
Thankfully for all of us, for as long as there is a NASCAR and a media covering it, you can bet frustrated drivers will be more than happy to air out their team’s dirty laundry to get what they want.
Related posts:
Posted in 
Tags: 
While I agree with you that I like seeing drivers speak their mind, like Tony Stewart and Kyle Bush, more and more drivers are seeing the result of going through the media. For example after Jeremy Mayfield used the press to criticize his absentee owner (Ray Evernham) he burnt another bridge which added to his downfall.
“The media, fortunately for them, and perhaps unfortunately for team owners, can be a public conduit for getting things done.”
Yeah, I can tell you what’s going to “get done”…. finding a new driver.
How about Harvick in Victory Lane? “The best part about it is our sponsor’s leaving…and they can leave while we’re winning.” A clear shot from a driver who knows what to say because he’s an owner. I thought that punched his ticket out of RCR right there.
Could have said, “It’s great to get a win for Shell before they go,” or something to compliment them for years of loyal sponsorship. If his drivers’ had said that, how many days would it take them to be fired?
I like hearing crazy stuff like that, and it’s all a part of “Have at it, boys.” But it also told me that he knows where he’s going in 2011. And if not, it was a career-altering blunder.
If your owner is not making sense & wont answer questions. I’d go straight to the media myself. It got Casey a new job. It should get Skinner some respect.