BRISTOL, TN (August 25, 2003) – In keeping with Bristol tradition, a caution-plagued event wiped out half the field’s chances for a decent day. Unfortunately, it was the first yellow flag that claimed the National Guard team.  odd Bodine had nowhere to go when Steve Park got turned around just seven circuits into the race. The No. 54 team battled back refusing to accept a DNF or did not finish status to end the night in 37th place.

"It's just typical Bristol,” said Bodine to TNT Network’s Marty Snider. “Somebody got into somebody up in front of me. I'm not quite sure who it was, but usually the fifth car back or so gets it and that's what happened. That's just Bristol. I'm not going to blame anybody for me being wrecked. All I could do was watch the wreck happen in front of me and hope for the best. I was literally a sitting duck out there.

“It's a shame for the National Guard Ford and this crew. We had a really good car in happy hour.  We were 13th. The car was really good on old tires. We were starting in the back, but we knew what we had and felt if we could be patient and take our time and stay out of trouble, we'd have something for them."

Bodine was forced to take the damaged Guard car behind the wall for repairs to replace a brake rotor and to get the car safe to drive. By lap 140, the team was back out to fight for every position it could get through attrition. Their persistence paid off with a 37th place finish … six positions better from where they restarted once repairs had been completed.

“The last three weeks have been terrible for this race team,” remarked Bodine. “We have really turned things around within this organization and have nothing to show for it on the race track. But we are not going to give up. We are going to continue to fight like you would not believe to get the finishes the National Guard and this team deserve. I can assure you of that.”

Kurt Busch concluded his controversial week by completing a Bristol Motor Speedway sweep.  

Official ResultsWC - StandingsWC

Read More About The Race:  AP Race Story --- Rusty/Mikey 
 

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