MADISON, Ill. (May 12, 2003) – Todd Bodine and the ESGR (Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve) Racing team picked up an 11th place finish on Saturday in the Charter Pipeline 250 at Gateway (Ill.) International Raceway. The finish keeps Bodine in the running for the NASCAR Busch Series driver's points championship, where he currently sits only five points behind first place.  

Debuting its new six-race partnership with ESGR, the entire Herzog Jackson Motorsports (HJM) organization felt a little sense of relief that their team could continue their quest for the 2003 Busch Series championship.  

"Consistency is a key factor for us this weekend, and has been something that this organization has preached all season," stated Bodine. "I always know that the guys at the shop are going to bring a car that can run in the top-10, and I have to be patient and think about gaining points. This team is contending for a championship, and to do that you have to be consistent week in and week out."

Despite severe weather that threatened much of the St. Louis-area on Saturday morning, the skies cleared by the time the green flag dropped. Bodine, who after Friday's qualifying efforts was slated to start in the 16th position, was required to start at the back of the field after a late engine change by the ESGR race team. The No. 92 had no problem making its way through the field, and when the first of the green flag pit stops began to occur on lap 62, Bodine was running just outside the top-10 in the 11th position.

Ten laps later, crew chief Tony "Rambo" Liberati gave the signal for Bodine to enter the pits for the first stop of the day. A slight air pressure adjustment and four new tires was all the No. 92 needed. Due to the quick maneuvering by the ESGR pit crew, Bodine managed to gain three positions upon the restart.

The No. 92 was running in the ninth place at the halfway point of the 200-lap event and  continued to fight for position among the top-10. Bodine had raced his way into the top-five when the fourth caution flag of the day was thrown in lap 115. Knowing that the race could become a fuel-mileage war, Liberati made the call for Bodine to enter the pits for a splash of gas. Bodine would leave pit road in the 12th position.

Unfortunately for the No. 92, a caution flag on lap 134 gave the leaders a chance to save valuable fuel. Fifteen caution laps later, NASCAR gave the go-ahead for the re-start, and Bodine battled for track position for the remainder of the race. The No. 92 crossed the finish line in the 11th position.

"We made a gutsy call to enter the pits for gas, and unfortunately the yellow came out only laps later," Liberati said. "This whole team once again proved to be a championship caliber team. Our thanks to ESGR for making this happen and letting us continue what we love and know best."

The ESGR Racing team will travel to Nazareth, Pennsylvania this weekend for the running of the Goulds Pumps ITT Industries 200 at Nazareth (Penn.) Speedway. The Sunday race will be broadcast live on FX beginning at 1:00 pm EDT. Live radio coverage will also begin at 1:00 pm EDT on MRN Radio. 
 

Holly Heidenwirth / Eclipse Management Co, Inc.