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NASCAR BGN: Todd Bodine Readies for Myrtle Beach

14 July 1999

The NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division will make its next stop at the half-mile oval of Myrtle Beach Speedway. Myrtle Beach Speedway is the fifth short-track race of the season for Busch Series competitors. In the four previous short-track events, Todd Bodine has finished fifth at Nashville, fifth at Bristol, fourth at Richmond and 12th at South Boston. The driver of the Phillips 66 Chevy has five career Busch Series starts at Myrtle Beach. In those five starts, Bodine has one top-five and three top-10 finishes and has never finished lower than 15th. Bodine looks forward to exercising a little short-track prowess this weekend.

"Short track racing is all about patience and keeping your head about you," Bodine said. "When people get impatient, accidents start happening. That's just typical short-track racing. I have managed to do pretty well on the short tracks. I always look forward to racing at Myrtle Beach. First, it's just a fun race with lots of action. Plus, we are at the beach. I know a few drivers and a lot of fans plan their vacations around the race at Myrtle Beach. It's a great vacation spot for families. And with the NASCAR Caf and NASCAR Speedpark, racing's presence in Myrtle Beach is pretty evident."

Equipment: "Twister" is the car Bodine will compete with this weekend at Myrtle Beach Speedway. New to the 1999 season, "Twister" has yet to finish outside the top 10. Behind the wheel of "Twister," Bodine finished fifth at Nashville, ninth at New Hampshire and eighth two weeks ago in Milwaukee.

Visit to Phillips 66: Bodine kept busy during the off weekend by making a trip to Phillips 66 headquarters in Bartlesville Okla., July 8-9. Bodine, along with crew chief Donnie Richeson, team manager Clyde McLeod and team owner Frank Cicci, met with employees of Phillips 66 during the company's NASCAR day on July 9.

Two weeks ago in Milwaukee: Bodine started third in the DieHard 250 two weeks ago at The Milwaukee Mile. He led for nearly 30 laps, marking the second race he has led this season. A loose-handling condition prevented Bodine from securing his first win of the 1999 season and he finished in eighth place, his 11th top 10 finish of the season.

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