INDIANAPOLIS (August 3, 2003) – The No. 54 National Guard car did battle at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway with driver Todd Bodine at the controls. Despite a temperamental-handling machine, Bodine came away with a 23rd-place finish, the team’s 12th-top 25 of the season. The solid finish also moved the driver up one spot in the Winston Cup point standings to 29th position.

“We didn’t have the car we needed today,” said Bodine after starting the Brickyard 400 in 31st position. “It’s disappointing because we had a good test here a few weeks ago. I’m not going to complain because last year we had a strong car but failed to finish because of an engine problem. 

“This team continues to make strides so I’m glad for what we got and even more important, the team learned a few things. It’s just a shame we couldn’t get the car dialed in better because this is a big race.”

During theng sequence, the biggest handling issue for the No. 54 National Guard team was the car did not want to turn through the corners of the 2.5-mile oval. Since Bodine was being prevented from maintaining his corner speed, the driver asked for major changes. Crew Chief Gary Cogswell chose to pit under green flag conditions on lap 34. He ordered up air pressure adjustments along with taking on four fresh tires and fuel. The pit crew completed the service in 15.47 seconds.

Two laps later, the caution came out after Dale Jarrett lost control of his car in the pits striking and injuring his jackman.  Fortunately, the No. 88 crewmember was not seriously injured. Due to the quick caution after a pitting sequence, half the field, including Bodine was put a lap down. When the race went back to green on lap 44, the National Guard driver got a jump on the competition and was able to make it back to the start/finish line in front of the leaders when the No. 81 car brought out the next caution period. The move allowed the Guard car to get back on the lead lap.

It was during this caution period that the crew opted to come down pit road for the second time. The previous air pressure change freed the car up going into the corners, however it still didn’t want to turn when exiting. So another air pressure change was made along with the removal of a spring rubber out of the left rear on lap 46.

The temperamental handling persisted throughout the race as Bodine ran in the top 30.  Track position was desperately needed so two more pit stops were made on laps 85 and 105 to fix the car. Both stops were less than 16 seconds. 

“I think we were running with too much camber in the National Guard Ford,” said Cogswell. “The car still needed to be loosened up on our last stop. We decided to pit on lap 140 for two tires to help gain track position, plus last week, two tires really freed up the car. We also made a track bar adjustment to help get what Todd needed for his final run.” 

Cogswell’s call combined with another fast stop and solid driving from the driver allowed the Guard crew to finish the Brickyard 400 in 23rd position. 

Kevin Harvick took the victory. Matt Kenseth followed him in second while Jamie McMurray finished third. Jeff Gordon and Bill Elliott rounded out the top five. 

Unofficial ResultsWC - StandingsWC:  Todd picks up another spot.

Images from Appearance For Ford Racing at the RCA Dome
Images from the Brickyard 400

Read More About The Race:  AP Race Story --- Dale Jarrett --- Tony Stewart
 

By: Traci Hultzapple
Senior Account Manager – BelCar Racing - No. 54 National Guard Taurus
Cox Marketing Group / Mooresville, NC  28117