Skillman honored with rookie title in a RJ RACE CAR

Skillman had some simple goals for himself when he entered the Pro Stock ranks this season: finish in the top 10 in points and win a race. Skillman was able to achieve that and more during his rookie campaign behind the wheel of an Elite Motorsports-powered Camaro, and he was rewarded with the 2015 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, which recognizes the sport’s top-performing rookie. Skillman beat out a talented field of rookies that also included Top Fuel racer Jenna Haddock, Funny Car drivers John Bojec and John Hale, and fellow Pro Stock racers Bo Butner, Alex Laughlin, and Alan Prusiensky.

“It’s awesome,” said Skillman about winning the award and the $20,000 prize that comes with it. “There’s so few people who have gotten that award. For coming into my first year and being recognized as a future in the sport is huge. Everybody was so positive that night and were coming up congratulating me, even people I didn’t know yet. It’s really cool to know there’s that many fans, there’s that many people who watch. My phone is still going off with people congratulating me. It’s a really neat experience.”

Though he admits to not feeling 100 percent certain about his chances of winning after seeing some online fan votes, Skillman knew his on-track record was very strong. In addition to winning a race, in St. Louis, Skillman was also in three other final rounds, including at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals, the first race he entered, and the season’s biggest event, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Skillman also qualified No. 1 three times during his rookie campaign, and he finished the season with a winning record of 26-21.

“My goals for the year were top 10 and win one race, and we did that, so all my goals were met,” said Skillman. “We got a little greedy towards the end of the season. We saw that we could finish second [in points], so we really pushed for that. After I lost second round [in Pomona], we knew that deal was over, but I still finished fifth in the world my first year. That’s pretty strong.”

So what does Skillman plan to do for an encore to his successful first season? He’s hoping for even bigger and better things in 2016, saying, “We’re going to come out swinging next year. I think we’re going to try to win the championship.”

Story by: NHRA