FORT WORTH, T.X. (March 29, 2003) – Todd Bodine and the Herzog Jackson Motorsports racing team added another top-five finish to their already impressive season on Saturday by finishing fourth in the O'Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. The top-five finish keeps Bodine in first place in the Busch Series driver's points race, widening the margin to 104 points ahead of second place.

Bodine and the No. 92 organization are having an exceptional season thus far. With seven races under their belts, the team has racked up five top-10's, three top-fives and one victory, that coming at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on March 17th. Despite their success, the team is still currently unsponsored. Upon arriving at Texas, Herzog Jackson Motorsports knew that running well was extremely important to the future of the team. 

When the green flag dropped on Saturday for the start of the race, Bodine was in sixth position after qualifying on Friday. When a caution on lap two was thrown, the No.92 was sitting comfortably in eighth place, but upon the re-start on lap six began to make it's way to the front of the pack. Bodine eventually battled his way through the top-five to second place when the second caution of the day was thrown on lap 33. Crew chief Tony "Rambo" Liberati then made the call for Bodine to enter the pits for four fresh tires and fuel.

Upon the restart on lap 42, the No. 92 was in fourth position when the third yellow of the day was thrown on lap 43. Six laps later Bodine would restart in third and continue to make his way to the front of the field for the next forty laps. When another caution flag on lap 78 led the Herzog Jackson Chevy Monte Carlo back into the pits for new tires, fuel and a slight air pressure adjustment, Bodine would leave pit road with the lead. 

Bodine continued in the top-five for the next fifty laps, battling Winston Cup drivers Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray for track position. The No. 92 was running in third when Liberati made the call for a green flag pit stop for new tires and fuel. With just fifty laps to go and running in 17th position after leaving pit road, Bodine would have to make his way through the field.

With fresh Goodyears on the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Bodine made his way to the front of the pack in just 38 laps. On lap 186, the No. 92 was leading the race when a 12-car pile-up on turn two brought out the caution flag. Two laps later when NASCAR officials made the call to bring out the red flag due to debris on the track, Bodine radioed to Liberati that his right rear tire had gone flat.
With ten laps to go and still under caution, NASCAR officialsd pit road and the No. 92 came into the pits for a new right rear tire. This quick pit stop cost Bodine the lead, but he was able to exit the pits in fifth position. Upon the restart, the No. 92 was able to pass the No. 48 car to grab the fourth place finish.

"We did the best we could today," stated Liberati. "Its just unfortunate that this had to happen when we had the lead. We had a car that could win here today, but you can never be upset with a top-five finish. When we look at the big picture, we are still first in points and running well consistently will definitely keep us there." 

The Herzog Jackson Motorsports team will travel to Talladega, AL for the running of the Aaron's 312 on Saturday April 5th. Live race coverage will begin at 2:00 pm on FOX. Radio coverage will also begin at 2:00 pm on 
 

By: Holly Heidenwirth / Eclipse Management Co, Inc.