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AFTER DOMINATING, THE NO. 92 FALLS SHORT TO FINISH 19TH

LAS VEGAS, N.V. (March 1, 2003)- Todd Bodine and Herzog Jackson Motorsports took home nineteenth place on Saturday in the Sam's Town 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 200-lap event consisted of seven caution flags and eighteen lead changes, but the race belonged to the No. 92 Chevrolet for most of the day.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been good to Todd Bodine in the past. Having only run at the 1.5-mile superspeedway four times previously in the Busch Series, Bodine has racked up one victory and two-top five finishes. Despite the rain showers, which canceled Friday's qualifying, Bodine and the rest of the Herzog Jackson team were confident with the car, and backed by Bodine's experience at the track, confident in its driver. After the final practice on Friday, the team had posted the second fastest time and was ready for the competition on Saturday.

Despite a sky that threatened rain, the Sam's Town 200 got underway with the No. 92 starting in fourteenth position (based on 2002 owner's points). By lap 37, Bodine and the No. 92 team had fought their way to third place having posted a lap speed of 159.96 miles per hour making him the fastest car on the track.

When the third caution flag was thrown on lap 62, crew chief Tony Liberati radioed to Bodine to bring the car in for the first pit stop of the day. Liberati called for four tires, an air pressure adjustment and fuel. Quick time by the No. 92 pit crew allowed Bodine to maintain his position in third for the restart on lap 64. With fresh Goodyears on the No. 92 Chevy, Bodine made his charge for the front. NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick were Bodine's only competition at the front of the pack.

When the caution flag flew again on lap 116, Bodine took two laps before filing behind the field onto pit road. Following a second impressive pit stop by the Herzog Jackson team, Bodine restarted second behind Michael Waltrip. The competition was stiff and Bodine battled with Winston Cup veteran Michael Waltrip for the lead exchanging the top position several times. Due to the impending rain, the caution flag was thrown on lap 139 and in a last moment charge, Bodine was able to beat Waltrip to the flag to secure the top position. NASCAR officials red-flagged the event, forcing the field to bring their cars to pit road.

After an hour break, the sun peeked out and the track was once again ready for action. When NASCAR officials made the call for the restart, Liberati made the gutsy call to have Bodine pit for four fresh tires. The quick stop put Bodine in the eleventh position for the restart on lap 140. With fresh rubber and a car that was on rails, Bodine passed the field as if they were standing still. By lap 160, Bodine had taken over the top spot. Unfortunately, while battling for the lead with Joe Nemechek on lap 168, Bodine spun down the frontstretch into the infield. Bodine's veteran driving skills allowed him to keep the No. 92 from hitting the wall and the race continued under green.

Despite a valiant effort, the tires on the No. 92 were worn due to the spin and Bodine was unable to move back through the field. The Herzog Jackson Motorsports team finished the event in 19th disappointed after what looked to be the team's first win of the season.

"The Herzog Jackson Chevy was just great today," stated Bodine. "It's disappointing that something like this could happen, but I guess that's racin'. Tony and the crew were just phenomenal, and we'll come back to Darlington and run at the front again. This was a minor setback, this team obviously has the talent to put me up front." After a weekend off, the team heads to Darlington, South Carolina for the DarlingtonRaceway.com 200. The event will be broadcasted live on Saturday, March 15 at 12:30 p.m. EST on FX. MRN Radio will also broadcast the event live.