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NASCAR BGN: Todd Bodine looks forward to 'going home' for road racing

21 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
"I like road course racing and I love going home so it's only natural that I would enjoy racing in Watkins Glen. I've been able to perform well on the road courses from the first time I competed on one. It doesn't throw me off as much as it does other drivers. I think my worse finish at Watkins Glen is a ninth-place finish. You know you're in good shape when a ninth-place finish is a disappointment."
-- Todd Bodine, driver of the No. 66 Phillips 66 Chevrolet

Todd's Thoughts On Watkins Glen . . . "I've always raced well on the road courses. I went to road racing school when I first started competing in NASCAR, but it's just something that I've been able to do and do well. The Phillips 66 team spent a day in Kershaw, S.C., before going to Myrtle Beach last week just to shake the car down and get ready for this week's race at the Glen. We are taking the same car we raced at Watkins Glen last year. The car handled great at Watkins Glen last year. Things are a little different for this year's race at the Glen. We have Fischer motors this year and they've been strong for us all season, so I think everyone will see the Phillips 66 car running up front."

* Bodine's average finish at Watkins Glen International is fourth. His best finish is second at three events (1997, 1996, 1992), while his worst finish is a ninth-place finish during the 1999 Busch Series event. Bodine's average start at Watkins Glen is 13th.

* Bodine's scored his most recent career pole position at Watkins Glen in 1997. The pole win was scored while qualifying the No. 34 Cicci-Welliver Chevrolet entry in Winston Cup competition.

The Equipment . . . "Skippy" is the car Bodine will compete with at Watkins Glen International. "Skippy" joined the Cicci-Welliver Racing stables in 1999 before the race at the Glen last year. "Skippy's" last race was at Watkins Glen in 1999, when Bodine earned a ninth-place finish.

Last Week In Myrtle Beach . . . Bodine picked up his 12th top-10 finish of the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division season last weekend at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Bodine started the event in 22nd place and steadily worked his way through the field despite having several close calls. Bodine eventually finished the 250-lap event in sixth place.

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.