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NASCAR BGN: Todd Bodine on Bristol Motor Speedway

25 August 1999

"Bristol is one of those tracks where you just have to get up on the wheel and get after it every lap and that's my style," Bodine said. "I've always tried to be what I call smart aggressive. I try to use my head and make sure that I'm around at the end of the race, but at the same time I go 110 percent every lap."

Both of Bodine's wins at the half-mile oval occurred during the night race at Bristol. In an effort to get back into dominate form, Bodine and the Phillips 66 team spent a couple of days testing at Bristol earlier this month.

"We are pulling out all the stops for this one," Bodine said. "I hadn't really run well on the concrete during the last few years. When that track was pavement, we were pretty tough and I want to get back to that form. We had a good run there last fall and in the spring this year. We just didn't qualify well in those events. We started 40th last fall and 38th in the spring. When we start qualifying up front, then we're going to be in contention for the win."

Equipment: The car Bodine will compete with at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend is "Hillbilly." "Hillbilly" is the same car Bodine finished fifth with during the spring race at Bristol. In addition to the fifth-place finish at Bristol, "Hillbilly" has scored a third-place finish at Dover, ninth at Charlotte, and 10th at Darlington.

Bodine Appearance: Bodine will be busy this week with appearances. Bodine is scheduled to attend the Southeast Petroleum Exposition in Charlotte, N.C., this Wednesday on behalf of Phillips 66. Bodine will then be signing autographs at the Food City Family Race Night along the Tennessee/Virginia state line in Bristol from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday night.

Bodine Favorite: As the 1999 football season is about to kick off, Bodine will prepare to cheer on his favorite NFL team, the New England Patriots.

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