RICHMOND, V.A.  (September 6, 2003) – It was a long night for the No. 54 National Guard Ford. An incident on lap 119 caused driver Todd Bodine to park his machine for extensive repairs. When all was said and done, the No. 54 machine crossed the finish line disappointed and in 42nd place.

“Somebody spun out back there or got turned around,” said Bodine to the media as the team worked on the car. “I saw it. My spotter saw it. I guess Jason Leffler’s spotter did not because Jason got in the back of me. I can’t believe this happened to us.”

Bodine took the green flag in 12th place after a solid qualifying effort and impressive practice sessions. In session two, the National Guard Ford was on top of the speed chart and backed it up with 13th in Happy Hour. Once the race started, Bodine was faced with two early obstacles. The first happened on lap 32 when he was running in eighth position. Exiting turn four, his car pushed up the race track and grazed the wall. The Guard car sustained some minimal damage and was able to continue running in the top 15.

The next close call happened on lap 83. While racing with the points leader, Matt Kenseth, Bodine’s machine sustained front-end damage after the No. 17 machine hit the wall and clipped the front of the No. 54. The caution came out allowing the Guard crew to pit for repairs on lap 85. Bodine was forced to restart the race in 34th place. 

“We were running really good,” the driver remarked. “I got in the wall off of four that one time when we were running eighth but it wasn’t going to hurt us. Then when Matt Kenseth hit us, we had to come in and fix it. We got in the back of the field but I really wasn’t worried about it. That’s how good a car we had. I thought we were going to be fine. We had a top five car … easily.”

While patiently racing back up through the field in 26th place, a multi-car crash unfolded on lap 119. It looked as if Bodine would safely maneuver around it until his car was suddenly hit hard from behind.

“I just don’t understand it,” continued Bodine.  “You’re racing in the back and you figure you’re not going to get run over. But, that’s exactly what happened to us.

The No. 54 National Guard car sustained significant damage. The radiator, left front brake rotor and suspension needed to be fixed. The crew worked vigorously to get the car back out.  

Within 155 laps, car 54 was back on the track. Within two laps into Bodine’s run, he recorded lap times just one-tenth slower than the leader.

“The good news is we are getting better,” said Bodine to the team after the race. “The competition knew we were here tonight.  We just need to stick together despite what’s being thrown at us now.  I know we can work through this.

“I can’t say enough about this entire race team. They did a heck of a job in preparing this race car. And they did one heck of a job getting this car fixed. I truly appreciate everything they have done for me. We just need to get the monkey off our back.”

Official ResultsWC - StandingsWC

Read More About The Race:   AP Race Story --- Rudd/Harvick --- Richmond Notebook
 

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