NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 9, 2003) – Todd Bodine and the Monster racing team experienced one of their most disappointing days of the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series season on Saturday in the Trace Adkins Chrome 300 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.  Engine troubles on lap 190 of the 225-lap event put Bodine in the 26th finishing position.  Bodine entered the event as the leader in the 2003 Busch Series driver's points standings and now sits a mere 24 points out of the lead. 

Having just signed a three-race sponsorship deal with Monster, HJM looked forward to continuing their remarkable run of success.  In 2002, HJM finished the season with six top-five's and nine top-tens in 34 races.  Entering the event at Nashville, the team has equaled last year's statistics after only 14 races.

After rain canceled Friday's qualifying, the starting line-up for the race was determined by the current 2003 owner points standings, giving Bodine a start on the outside of row one in the second spot.  After the green flag was thrown for the start of the event, the No. 92 ran comfortably in the top-five for the first 34 laps.  An accident on lap 35 brought out the caution flag and brought Bodine and most of the leaders to pit road for the first stop of the evening.  Four tires, fuel and a small air pressure adjustment were made to the Monster Chevy.  

After Bodine left the pits, crew chief Tony "Rambo" Liberati called the driver back in to pit road for additional adjustments, fearing that the car was damaged when the No. 92 tried to avoid the accident.  Liberati's call proved to be a wise one as damage did exist.  Repairs were quickly made by the No. 92 team and a potential problem was averted.

The Monster Monte Carlo was in running in 24th upon the restart on lap 41, but had made its way to 18th when another caution on lap 43 allowed Bodine to enter the pits for a track bar adjustment and a splash of fuel.  The No. 92 left pit road with no track position lost for the restart on lap 47.

Having raced his way into the sixth-place spot by lap 113, Bodine held that spot until a caution on 134 brought him to him road once again.  Another track bar and a wedge adjustment were added.  Leaving pit road, Bodine was able to gain valuable track position, and when the green flag flew for the restart, he was running in the fourth spot.  

Continuing to fight among the top-10 for the next 50 laps, Bodine radioed to Liberati that he believed something was wrong with the engine.  Trying to keep the Monster Chevy running as long as he could, Bodine finally pulled off the track on lap 190 when spotter Cal Lawson noticed smoke coming from the No. 92.  With 35 laps remaining, Bodine was forced to exit the race and the team was credited with a 26th place finish.

"It's really a shame we couldn't finish the race," stated a disappointed Bodine.  "We had a great car and our Amick engine was great.  It was a fluke thing with the motor.  I can't complain.  Team Amick's power has been second to none all season. We'll definitely bounce back and go to Kentucky next weekend and hopefully have a good run with the Monster Chevy.  Thank you to Monster for giving us the opportunity to continue running."

Todd Bodine and the Monster racing team head to Sparta, Kentucky this weekend for the running of the Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway.  Live coverage of the event will begin at 7:30 EDT on FX.  MRN Radio will also be broadcasting the event live beginning at 7:30 pm EDT.  For more information on Todd Bodine, Herzog Jackson Motorsports and their sponsors, please visit www.todd-bodine.com, www.hjmotorsports.com, www.reggiejackson.com, www.monster.com and www.esgr.com.  
 

Holly Heidenwirth / Eclipse Management Co, Inc.