| News/
DISAPPOINTING 26th PLACE FINISH
AT NASHVILLE FOR BODINE
AND MONSTER RACING TEAM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 9, 2003) – Todd
Bodine and the Monster racing team experienced one of their
most
disappointing
days of the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series season on Saturday
in the Trace Adkins Chrome 300 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.
Engine troubles on lap 190 of the 225-lap event put Bodine
in the 26th finishing position. Bodine entered the event
as the leader in the 2003 Busch Series driver's points
standings
and now sits a mere 24 points out of the lead.
Having just signed a three-race sponsorship
deal with Monster, HJM looked forward to continuing their
remarkable
run of
success. In 2002, HJM finished the season with six
top-five's and nine top-tens in 34 races. Entering the
event at
Nashville, the team has equaled last year's statistics
after only 14
races.
After rain canceled Friday's qualifying, the starting
line-up for the race was determined by the current 2003
owner points
standings, giving Bodine a start on the outside of row
one in the second spot. After the green flag was thrown
for the
start of the event, the No. 92 ran comfortably in the
top-five for the first 34 laps. An accident on lap 35
brought out
the caution flag and brought Bodine and most of the leaders
to pit road for the first stop of the evening. Four tires,
fuel and a small air pressure adjustment were made to
the Monster Chevy.
After Bodine left the pits, crew chief Tony "Rambo" Liberati
called the driver back in to pit road for additional
adjustments, fearing that the car was damaged
when the No. 92 tried
to avoid the accident. Liberati's call proved
to be a wise one
as damage did exist. Repairs were quickly made
by the No. 92 team and a potential problem was averted.
The
Monster Monte Carlo was in running in 24th upon the restart
on lap 41, but had made its
way to 18th when
another caution
on lap 43 allowed Bodine to enter the pits
for a track bar adjustment and a splash of fuel.
The No. 92 left
pit road
with no track position lost for the restart
on lap 47.
Having raced his way into the sixth-place
spot by lap 113, Bodine held that spot until a caution
on 134 brought
him
to him road once again. Another track bar
and a wedge adjustment were added. Leaving pit
road, Bodine was able
to gain valuable
track position, and when the green flag flew
for the restart, he was running in the fourth
spot.
Continuing to fight among the top-10
for the next 50 laps, Bodine radioed to Liberati
that
he believed something
was
wrong with the engine. Trying to keep the
Monster Chevy running as long as he could,
Bodine finally
pulled off
the track
on lap 190 when spotter Cal Lawson noticed
smoke coming from the No. 92. With 35 laps
remaining,
Bodine was forced
to
exit the race and the team was credited
with a 26th place finish.
"It's really a shame we couldn't finish
the race," stated
a disappointed Bodine. "We had a
great car and our Amick engine was great.
It was a fluke thing
with the
motor. I
can't complain. Team Amick's power has
been second to none all season. We'll
definitely bounce back
and go
to Kentucky
next weekend and hopefully have a good
run with the Monster Chevy. Thank you
to Monster for giving us
the opportunity
to continue running."
Todd Bodine
and the Monster racing team head to
Sparta, Kentucky this weekend
for the
running of the Meijer 300
at Kentucky
Speedway. Live coverage of the event
will begin at 7:30 EDT on FX. MRN Radio
will
also be broadcasting
the event
live
beginning at 7:30 pm EDT. For more
information on Todd Bodine, Herzog Jackson Motorsports
and their sponsors,
please visit
www.todd-bodine.com, www.hjmotorsports.com,
www.reggiejackson.com, www.monster.com
and www.esgr.com. |