BRISTOL, TN (March 23, 2003) –As the thoughts, prayers and support of everyone in NASCAR are with the troops and their families, America’s favorite pastime attempted to entertain for a brief moment at the fastest half-mile track on the circuit. Instead, Bristol Motor Speedway wreaked havoc on most of the 43-car field by bringing out 17-caution flags. Unfortunately, for the second week in a row, the No. 54 National Guard Team chance to turn things around came to a halt early.

 “We had just dodged a bullet so-to-speak,” said Bodine after finishing 40th place. “In the first four laps of the race we were able to climb 10 positions and just when we got that boost we needed, the rug was pulled out from under us on the second restart. The whole field got bunched up and it caused a chain reaction. I got into Kyle Petty a little bit, and John Andretti got into me and spun me around. I really wasn’t in too bad of shape. I was about to get going again when all of a sudden the No. 41 car slammed into me. I don’t know what happened. He just drilled me.” 

Crew chief Derrick Finley tried to get the Guard car fixed on pit road by making a series of pit stops on laps 21, 24 and 26 under caution. Despite their efforts, the No. 54 was forced to go behind the wall for 150 laps to make the required repairs. The opportunity to go back out and race was a small feat for the National Guard guys considering last week’s early dismissal at Darlington. It may have taken 350 laps, but the team was able to move up one-track position from where they started.

“He looked pretty good out there considering what he ended up driving,” said crew chief Derrick Finley. “We clocked him going as fast as the leader quite a few times. I’m not sure how he was able to do it? I just kept telling him on the radio to keep doing what he was doing and that’s all I can ask.I don’t believe in bad luck but I do believe in changing unfortunate set of circumstances and it’s time for us to tackle it at Texas.”

Read More About Sunday's Events:
Busch Wins    Kyle Petty Crash    Nadeau Mad

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