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NASCAR BGN: Todd Bodine prepares for Lowe's Motor Speedway Action

6 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
200th Start at Charlotte: Todd Bodine will make his 200th career NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division start this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Bodine, 35, started his full-time racing career in 1991, driving the No. 34 owned by current car owners Frank Cicci and Scott and Jeff Welliver. In the previous 199 Busch Series starts, Bodine has scored an impressive 54 top-five and 106 top-10 finishes, in addition to his 10 career wins. Bodine looks forward to making his 200th start in Charlotte this weekend.

"Charlotte is one of my favorite race tracks where we race just for the simple fact that it's home and it gives everybody an opportunity to get out to the track," Bodine said. "It's a fun race because you have to be on your toes and ready to anticipate how the track is going to change throughout the race as the weather changes. We tested there back in September and were one of the quickest cars in the test. I really look forward to the race this weekend."

Equipment: The car Bodine will compete with in Charlotte this weekend is "Twister's Sister." "Twister's Sister" will make just its third appearance of the 1999 season when the green flag drops on the All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300. Previous performance includes a 10th-place finish at Darlington and a 13th-place finish at Michigan.

2000 Season: Bodine recently signed a contract with Cicci-Welliver Racing, extending the partnership through the 2000 Busch Series season. Bodine and his No. 66 Cicci-Welliver Racing team will continue to fly the colors of Phillips 66 through next season.

Memphis Test: Although the Busch Series had a week off from racing, the Phillips 66 team did not. Bodine and the No. 66 team traveled to the very western part of Tennessee to participate in a two-day test session at Memphis Motorsports Park last Wednesday and Thursday. Bodine was the fastest of the teams that tested.

Two Weeks Ago In Dover: Bodine started the MBNA Gold 200 in 37th place. After correcting a tight handling condition, the Phillips 66 team made a charge to the front of the field. Bodine climbed to the 14th position before getting caught up in an accident on lap 118. The Performance Team changed the radiator and repaired damages to the nose of the No. 66. Bodine finished the event in 32nd place, 23 laps down.

Bodine Favorite: Bodine's favorite professional hockey team is the Colorado Avalanche.

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.