---

NASCAR BGN: Todd Bodine ready for strong season finish at Homestead

10 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Todd Bodine
Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex
NASCAR Busch Series Notes

On Homestead: The grand finale for the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division is set for this weekend at the Homestead Motorsports Complex in Miami, Fla. Although the championship was wrapped up by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., last weekend, several teams have a few things to prove, including the Phillips 66 Performance Team. Driver Todd Bodine and his No. 66 are firmly planted in fourth-place in the point standings, but are still in the hunt for their first win of the season. The Phillips 66 gang hopes to use the success of the last three weekends as momentum for a win this weekend.

"We've had cars capable of winning the last three races," Bodine said. "We were a little unlucky in Rockingham and went a lap down. We made the lap up and came back to finish fifth. Then in Memphis, we were fast all weekend and were pretty much the team to beat in the race until we had a little trouble on pit road. We still finished fourth there. We had a little trouble during our green flag pit stop in Phoenix last weekend but still managed to finish ninth. Maybe this weekend will be our race and we'll get a win.

"We had a little trouble qualifying in Homestead last year but we had a real good race car. We were coming up through the field pretty good and then we had a brake problem. We spent quite a few laps behind the wall fixing that problem. Even when we got back in the race we were running some of the fastest laps on the track. With a little luck, we'll go to Homestead, have no problems and be in contention for the win."

Equipment: The car Bodine will compete with in Phoenix this weekend is "Fido." "Fido" is the same car Bodine finished third with at Pikes Peak and fourth at the spring race in Richmond.

Last Week In Phoenix: Bodine qualified the Phillips 66 car in 21st position for the Outback Steakhouse 200. After the handling came around on the No. 66, Bodine started working his way through the field and was in the top 10 when he made a green flag pit stop on lap 100. After a little trouble on the pit stop, Bodine returned to competition in 20th place. Bodine worked his way back to the front to finish ninth.

Bodine Favorite: Bodine's favorite Walt Disney character is the genie from Aladdin.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.