CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 27, 2003) – Todd Bodine and the ESGR racing team scored their sixth top-five finish on Saturday in the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's (N.C.) Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.  The finish put Bodine back in the lead in the NASCAR Busch Series driver's points standings, 98 points ahead of second place.  

ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) partnered with Herzog Jackson Motorsports (HJM) for the event, marking the third such partnership between the Department of Defense agency and the racing organization.  Signing a six-race partnership deal, the two will also join forces this coming weekend at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, and the future races at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Kansas (Kan.) Speedway. HJM and ESGR previously partnered at Gateway (Ill.) International Raceway and Nazareth (Penn.) Speedway.  

When NASCAR officials dropped the green flag for the start of the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300, Bodine was sitting comfortably in the 21st position.  Doing what he does best, Bodine quickly maneuvered his way through the field and after only twenty laps had made his way into the top-10.  On lap 27, Bodine was able to pass former Busch Series champion Greg Biffle for the ninth spot.  

When the day's first green flag pit stops began, the No. 92 was running in the eighth spot when crew chief Tony "Rambo" Liberati instructed Bodine to enter the pits on lap 64.  Four fresh tires, a slight air pressure adjustment and some fuel were added to the No. 92.

At the halfway point of the 200-mile event, the ESGR Chevrolet was running on rails.  Posting speeds at times that rivaled the leaders, the No. 92 was running in sixth position when a caution on lap 105 brought the car back to pit road for a track bar adjustment due to the car being slightly loose.  After proper adjustments were made, the No. 92 exited the pits in the seventh position.  

Bodine continued to run amongst the top-10 for the next sixty laps.  A caution on lap 167 brought the ESGR Chevrolet to the pits one last time, where it would receive two fresh tires and a splash of gas.  Upon the restart, Bodine found himself amongst the top-five, where he battled for track position for the remainder of the race.  The ESGR Chevrolet would grab the fourth-place finish.  

"We had an amazing car today," stated Bodine.  "I'm just glad that I have the opportunity to work with such an exceptional race team, and that I get to drive these cars every weekend.  It was a great points day for this team, and we're looking at the big picture and hoping to continue our run for the championship.  Thanks to everyone involved with ESGR for making this possible for me and the team."

Chartered in 1972 by Presidential Proclamation, the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency that acts as a liaison between those serving in the Guard and Reserve and their full-time civilian employers.  Consisting of 4,200 volunteers across the United States and overseas, the ESGR has become vital in their services as the employment rights information source for members of the Guard and Reserve.  

The ESGR racing team will travel to Dover, Delaware this weekend for the running of the MBNA Platinum 200 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.  Live television coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series race will begin at 12:30 pm EDT on Saturday, May 31, 2003.  MRN Radio will also broadcast the event live beginning at 12:30 pm EDT.  
 

Holly Heidenwirth / Eclipse Management Co, Inc.