Skinner joins old rivals for Gateway race

Mike Skinner is the latest driver with Winston Cup ties to enter next weekend's Craftsman Truck Series event at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis.

Skinner will race the No. 15 Vokal Ford in the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 with a mission other than just winning: Skinner has been chosen to try to help team owner Billy Ballew turn around a struggling operation that's finished in the top 10 only twice. Andy Houston started the year with the team, then gave way to Rich Bickle. Ballew's team is 15th in the point standings.

The field also is scheduled to include Ted Musgrave, Bobby Hamilton and Dennis Setzer, along with defending race champion Terry Cook and points leader Travis Kvapil. The race is at 8 p.m. July 19.

The series will compete this weekend at Kentucky Speedway.

Also from NASCAR

Memphis Motorsports Park is being mum about the announcement in store for July 9 at Jillian's in Peabody's Place. Drivers Kyle Busch and Scott Wimmer will be on hand along with guests from Universal Studios. The public is invited for autographs from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

The area scene

Rick Ruch of Perryville increased his points lead in the Racing Association of Mini Stocks after he won Saturday's race at Montgomery County Speedway near New Florence. Earlier in the night, 15-year-old Mike Myer of Sikeston won his first heat race with the series.

Terry Flannagan of Fredericktown has taken over as promoter of Fredericktown Raceway after owner Denny Keith underwent recent surgery. Track officials say no changes in the weekly schedule and operation are planned this season.

St. Francois County Raceway near Farmington has scheduled a race with the All Star Circuit of Champions sprint series July 26. Modifieds will not compete that night.

Dyersburg (Tenn.) Speedway appears closed for good. Owner Randy Tomlin, after failing to find a buyer for the oval dirt track, has sold much of the facility -- including grandstands and sections of concrete wall -- to the new Poplar Bluff Speedway.

Nathan Rettig of Sikeston won the limited late model event Thursday at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway.