Skinner Safe..for 2001: Something is happening on Richard Childress’ second team(#31), where Mike Skinner works, and Skinner’s future has been the subject of conversation in the Winston Cup garage for two weeks. Childress confirmed that he is talking with potential new drivers, but that Skinner will be in his cars the rest of the season. Skinner has been driving for Childress on the Winston Cup tour since 1996 but is still winless. “We’re just trying to get the team running, and we’re doing our best with it,” Childress said. “We’re using all the resources we can come up with at RCR to make it go, and we’re seeing a little improvement. But he’ll be driving the car all year.” And next season? “Well, if he’s not happy and I’m not happy, we’ll talk about it closer to the end of the year. We just both want to win, and neither one of us wants to be in the situation we’re in. We’ve just got to keep digging and get to where we can win races together.” It has been reported that Childress has been talking with everyone from Jeff Burton(doubtful) to Greg Biffle(?), Jeremy Mayfield(who knows? but signed thru 2002), Matt Kenseth(a lock to Childress?) and Tony Stewart(no way).(Winston Salem Journal)(6-5-2001)
