DARLINGTON, S.C. – (March 17, 2003) Todd Bodine and the Herzog Jackson Motorsports racing team picked up their first win of the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series by taking the checkered flag at the Darlingtonraceway.com 200 on Monday.  While there is no leprechaun on the roster of the No. 92 team, the luck of the Irish proved helpful this St. Patrick's Day.  The win, which marks the team's third top-ten finish and second top-five finish in four starts this season, propelled the team into first place in the Busch Series points standings, 37 points ahead of second place. 

For the second consecutive week, rain showers forced the team to start the race based on 2002 owner's points, which put the unsponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the thirteenth position.  Unfortunately, more wet weather started within minutes of taking the green flag on Saturday, and NASCAR officials were forced to postpone the darlingtonraceway.com 200 until Monday.

With an extra day to re-group, the team headed to Darlington in the wee hours of Monday morning.  When the green flag finally dropped, Bodine used his veteran driving skills to power his way to the front.  While running in fourth position, a caution on lap 26 allowed the No. 92 to come to pit road for four fresh tires and fuel.  The team, which works out daily with a professional sports trainer, set the pit stop pace with a sub-15 second stop, beating the rest of the field off of pit road.  Re-starting in first place, Bodine would have to avoid the dreaded "Darlington Stripe".

The No. 92 remained in control of the field, and at lap 60 when the fourth and final caution of the day was flown, crew chief Tony "Rambo" Liberati signaled for Bodine to come in for new tires and fuel.  The team once again dominated pit road, bolting on four fresh Goodyears and adding fuel before most of the field could think about returning to the track. 

Because only three sets of tires are allowed during each event and Darlington is one of the cruelest on tires, Liberati and Bodine agreed to conserve the rubber on the second set, allowing second-year Busch driver Scott Riggs to pace the field.  Riggs would continue to lead the field until a set of green flag pit stops would bring the leaders to pit road. 

While most teams were forced to decide between staying on the track to maintain position or returning to the pits for new tires, Liberati made the call for four fresh tires.  Once pit stops had cycled, leaders Riggs and Bodine had fallen in the lineup, with nearly a lap behind leader Stacy Compton.

With the No. 59 car of Stacy Compton (who chose not to pit) holding a commanding lead, at some points more than 20 seconds over second place, Bodine made his move.  With twelve laps remaining, the No. 92 took second place by passing Riggs on the inside. Still holding on with a three-fourths of a lap lead over Bodine, Compton looked as though he might be able to pull off the impossible.  Fortunately for his pursuer, Compton's car was no match for the No. 92 and soon gave way.  Bodine grabbed the lead with just two laps to go. 

Just when it looked like a clear shot to the end, the No. 1 car of Jamie McMurray made an astounding move, running side by side with Bodine.  It was bump, grind and crash all the way to the finish line, but fortunately, the No. 92 crossed in first place.  It was a dream come true for the unsponsored Herzog Jackson Motorsports Chevrolet.

"We sure do have a flair for the dramatic," exclaimed Bodine after the exciting win.  "Nobody deserves this win more than these guys.  Even though we have been without a sponsor for the entire season, these guys have remained dedicated, working day and night to put out great cars for me to drive.  This win belongs to the men and women in the shop who have stayed together and never let their worries get in the way of their goals." 

Bodine and the Herzog Jackson Motorsports team hope to repeat their stellar performance this weekend at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.  The half-mile track, while small, just might be the most famous and favorite on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule.  With tickets almost impossible to get, most fans will be watching the excitement from their couches.  The broadcast of the Channellock 250 will begin this Saturday, March 22 at 12:30 pm EST on FX.  PRN radio will also broadcast the event live beginning at 12:30 EST.

Holly Heidenwirth / Eclipse Management Co.