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NASCAR BGN: Todd Bodine understands Darlington's reputation

15 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

"Darlington has the 'too tough to tame' reputation for a reason. It is a tough racetrack. It has to be exciting for a fan to watch. The cars come out of turn four and are literally inches from the wall. Personally, that's quite a sensation to be competing that fast."

-- Todd Bodine, driver of the No. 66 Phillips 66 Chevrolet

Todd's Thoughts on Racing In Darlington . . .

"Darlington is a place where you are racing the track as much as, if not more than, you are the other 42 competitors. It is the type of track that requires a lot of patience. The tires will wear out quickly at Darlington, so you have to exercise patience and precision. I have always done well at Darlington and it's a lot of fun to race."

* Bodine has competed in 13 Busch Series events at Darlington, for a total of 1,911 laps. Bodine has completed 1,903 of the laps run in those 13 events which gives him a lap completion record of 99.5 percent.

* Bodine scored a pair of 10th-place finishes at Darlington in 1999.

* The last time Bodine finished outside the top 10 at Darlington was the fall race in 1996 when he finished 14th.

* Bodine is currently fourth in the Busch Series points standings, 120 points behind leader Matt Kenseth. One year ago, Bodine was in 13th place, 163 points behind the leader Mark Martin.

The Equipment . . .

"Hillbilly" is the car Bodine will compete with in Darlington this weekend. "Hillbilly's" accomplishments during the 1999 Busch Series season included a third-place finish at Dover in the spring and a pair of fifth-place finishes at both Bristol events.

Last Weekend in Atlanta . . .

Bodine was the highest finishing Busch Series regular for the second straight week after scoring a fourth-place finish in the Aaron's 312 at Atlanta. Bodine started the event in 7th place and was in the top 10 throughout the entire event.

Text provided by Penny Copen

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