The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

NASCAR BGN: Todd Bodine ready to 'tame' Darlington

1 September 1999

On Darlington: Todd Bodine will take another shot at Darlington Raceway this weekend during the running of the Dura Lube 200 NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division event. The driver of the Phillips 66 Chevrolet has an average finish of ninth place in his 12 starts at the 1.366-mile oval. During the 1999 Dura Lube 200, Bodine started 22nd and finished fifth. Earlier this season, Bodine qualified his Phillips 66 Chevy, but after discovering a loose plug wire during the warm-up laps, Bodine came in for the team to replace it. Bodine started at the rear of the field, but patiently worked his way through the field and scored a top-10 finish. He hopes to better that with a win this Labor Day weekend.

"We had a real good car at Darlington this spring," Bodine said. "That loose plug wire was just a freak incident. This Phillips 66 team worked together all day and we ended up with a top-10 finish. When we go back there this weekend we want to work together all day and end the day in victory lane. I have always done well at Darlington and done the right things when it came to saving my tires. A combination of good pit stops by the team and smart, patient driving on my part should give us our first win of the season."

Last Weekend in Bristol: Bodine started 35th during the Food City 250 last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. After getting caught up in an early accident on lap three, Bodine had his work cut out for him. The Phillips 66 team kept adjusting on the car all night and Bodine worked his way through the field to finish fifth, his eighth top five of the 1999 season.

Equipment: The car Bodine will compete with at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend is "Twister's Sister." "Twister's Sister" made its debut at Michigan Speedway two weeks ago. Bodine finished 13th in that event.

Bodine Favorite: Bodine's favorite peers in racing are Dale Jarrett and Mark Martin.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.