LEBANON, Tenn. (April 14, 2003) – Todd Bodine & the Herzog Jackson Motorsports racing team posted a 13th place finish on Saturday in the Pepsi 300 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway. The finish keeps Bodine on top of the Busch Series driver's points standings, 78 points ahead of 2nd place.  

Bodine, who splits his time between his full time Winston Cup and Busch Series teams, was in Martinsville, Virginia on Friday to qualify his No. 54 Army National Guard car for the Winston Cup Virginia 500.  NASCAR veteran Mike McLaughlin qualified and practiced the No. 92 Herzog Jackson Motorsports Chevy at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway for good friend Bodine, who flew to Tennessee on Saturday afternoon to take the driver's seat for the Pepsi 300.  

Because the Herzog Jackson Motorsports Chevrolet was qualified by McLaughlin, it is a NASCAR rule that Bodine was required to start the race from the back of the field. When the green flag dropped on Saturday for the beginning of the 225-lap event, Bodine began the long climb to the front.  In just 24 laps, Bodine had made his way up to 22nd position when the first caution flag of the day was thrown. Crew chief Tony "Rambo" Liberati made the call for Bodine to enter the pits under the yellow flag for a routine stop, adding fresh tires and fuel.  

Restarting on lap 30, the No. 92 continued to fight its way through the field and had made it to the 12th position when another caution flag was thrown. Liberati then instructed Bodine to enter the pits once again for fuel and a track bar adjustment. Due to the Herzog Jackson Motorsports pit crew's perfectly executed stop, Bodine gained five positions, and upon the re-start on lap 77 was running in the seventh position.  

Bodine continued to battle his way among the top-10, and when the fourth caution flag of the day was thrown on lap 100, the No. 92 was in 12th place. Because Bodine appeared to be losing track position, Liberati again instructed the No. 92 to enter the pits for four new Goodyears and a slight wedge adjustment. When the green flag flew on lap 104, the Herzog Jackson Motorsports Chevy was in 20th place.  

With four new tires, Bodine quickly made his way through the field and by lap 142 had taken the fifth spot from the No. 46 of Ashton Lewis Jr. The No. 92 continued to run with the lead pack for the next 40 laps. Due to wear on the Herzog Jackson Chevrolet's tires, Liberati made the call for Bodine to enter the pits under the green flag for fresh tires and fuel. Upon leaving the pits, the No. 92 was running in the 18th position, but was one lap down. Having fresh tires proved to be beneficial for Bodine in his quest to gain back valuable track position, and had made his way to the 14th spot by lap 201. Unfortunately, a caution flag flew on lap 202 and the car remained one lap down. The No. 92 finished the 225-lap event in the 13th spot.

"We had a great car today," stated Bodine. "We knew we had a car that could run in the top-10, but considering I did not practice the Herzog Jackson Chevy, I think 13th is pretty good. Tony [Liberati] and the guys always bring a car that has the ability to win, and hopefully we can continue to maintain our consistency for the remainder of the season."

For more information on Todd Bodine and Herzog Jackson Motorsports, please visit www.hjmotorsports.com, www.reggiejackson.com, and www.todd-bodine.com.

By:
Holly Heidenwirth / Eclipse Management Co., Inc.