AVONDALE, Ariz. (November 3, 2003) – After a punishing three-week stretch, National Guard driver Todd Bodine got right back into gear by driving a solid race to finish 22nd. Bodine equaled his best finish at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway in four events.

“I have mixed feelings,” remarked the driver. “I would have liked a better finish. We worked very hard to get back up into contention after that first pit stop and to be honest, I think we had a car that could have finished in the top 15.” 

Added Crew Chief Gary Cogswell, “I think this entire team did a great job considering we had to come from the back early on in the race. In the first 40 laps, the car was not very good. We made some significant changes that took some time on pit road  so we were forced to start back in 38th place. I believe we made the right calls when it came pit road. We knew when to stay out for track position and when to pit and make what adjustments the car needed. It was a good day for a much-needed solid finish. We needed this after the bad luck we had during the last couple of races.”

The biggest handling challenge that Bodine had was the car was tight rotating through the middle of the corners and then pushy, loose off. Air pressure, track bar and spring rubber adjustments were the main course of action throughout the Checker Auto Parts 500. Bodine managed to break into the top 20 on lap 299, however when the race restarted for the final 10-lap dash, things got kind of wild.

“I just didn’t want to force the issue there at the end. When we had a team meeting earlier this week,” continued Bodine. “My guys told me they didn't want me to just turn laps out there. They wanted me to go out and race every lap hard and let the chips fall where they will. Don’t get me wrong, they don't want me to go out and wreck and tear the fenders and sides off of it, but they don't want me to go out there with the philosophy of just finishing the race. That means a lot to me for them to feel that way and still have that kind of confidence in me. If I would have forced the issue there in the end, I think we would have gotten the raw end of the deal. Now, we’ve got a really good car to take with us to Homestead."  

Meanwhile, it was Dale Earnhardt Jr. holding off Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Michael Waltrip.

Official ResultsWC -- StandingsWC  --  Images Link
Read More About The Event:  -- Phoenix Notes
 

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