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NASCAR BGN: Todd Bodine's record at Milwaukee doesn't reflect true performance

28 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

"Our finish record at Milwaukee doesn't properly reflect the way we have performed at that track. We've actually had really competitive races at Milwaukee, we just haven't had the luck to get us the top fives and the wins. If we can get a good set-up that will keep us in good shape for the long runs, we could be in victory lane by the end of the race." -- Todd Bodine, driver of the No. 66 Phillips 66 Chevrolet

Todd's Thoughts On Milwaukee . . . "We had a pretty good car at Milwaukee last year. We qualified third for that race. The Phillips 66 car was strong during the first part of the race and we even led a few laps. During the last part of the race the handling on the car really went downhill. We struggled with it pretty much all day. Tires can wear out fast at Milwaukee because the track is so abrasive. Last year we had a set up that worked well on the long runs and we didn't have as much trouble with our tires wearing out on us. If we can do that again this year, we will be in real good shape."

The Equipment . . . "Twister" is the car Bodine will compete with in the Die Hard 250 at The Milwaukee Mile this weekend. "Twister" made its first appearance of the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division season at New Hampshire where it scored a fourth-place finish. "Twister's" other 2000 performance was a sixth place finish at Myrtle Beach. "Twister" is the same car Bodine scored second with at Indianapolis and fourth with at Memphis in 1999.

Happy Birthday . . . The Phillips 66 Performance Team celebrated a birthday for transporter driver and front tire carrier Scott Kircher. Kircher celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, June 27.

Last Week In Watkins Glen . . . Bodine picked up his ninth top-five finish last weekend at Watkins Glen International. Bodine started the 200-mile race in sixth place and ran as high as second place before finishing the event in fourth place. The fourth-place finish is Bodine's first top-five since finishing fifth at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May.

"We have always done well at Watkins Glen. We had a problem at the end of the race with the track bar, so I was doing all I could to hold on to it at the end. We might have contended for the win if not for the track bar problem, but fourth is a good top-five finish for this Phillips 66 team and it's really good because we haven't had the best of luck in the month of June."

Text provided by Penny Copen

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