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(Courtesy of Poppy, click picture to go to his Bodine site)
Keeping up with the Bodines
What will the 2002 racing season bring the three racing brothers from upstate, Chemung New York? Uncertainty, yes. Opportunity, yes. Adversity, yes. Victory, YES. For even if these Bodine brothers don’t win a race amongst them (I wouldn’t count them out) just making the field is like a win under the conditions they are working under. But they are doing much more then just making the race. Just look at the Daytona 500 where Geoffrey finished a strong 3rd place. Or look at Friday’s qualifying for the Las Vegas race where Todd took the pole-
& a new track record without a sponsor…..
A lot is going on for the 3 Bodine’s, yet not one of them has a major full season sponsor. Geoffrey, the 52-year-old crafty NASCAR veteran, came into this season driving for James Finch on what was to be a deal for “just a couple of races”. This deal parlayed into quite the opportunity for him as the phone has been ringing off the hook! Now he will attempt 10-12 races this year and from 20 to a full schedule in 2003, as long as they land more sponsorship. At a minimum he will now attempt to qualify for the July Daytona race, one of the Talladega races and Homestead the other races have yet to be decided.
I’m really happy for Geoffrey, as he was the first driver I really started to follow when I started watching races in the mid 80’s. When I lived in Upstate NY, yes I’m a Yankee transplant; we would go over to “The Glenn” to watch the races’, which happens to be the Bodine’s home track, as a lot of you know. One of the more memorable races that I attended was at Dover in, I believe, 1991. It was the year of Mr. (Harry Gant) September, if that helps. Dover was one of the 4 that Handsome Harry won during that September streak.
Geoff came in 2nd (a lap down) & Morgan Shepard came in 3rd.
I was also at Daytona in 2000 where I witnessed Geoffrey’s horrific truck wreck. That was something I’ll never forget. His career turned south after that, running a few Cup & Busch races until getting this ride in the 09 Ford Taurus. He has kept busy, though, as the world took notice of the Bodyn bobsleds during the Olympics. There the Americans took home Silver & Bronze for the Men & GOLD for the Women’s team after eight years of hard work by Geoff. Good luck this year Geoffrey. I hope you get win # 19 this year.
It’s not out of the question from one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers now is it?!
The next Bodine, Brett, is also a winner on the Winston Cup Circuit. He won a race that Jeff Gordon will never win, North Wilksboro- LOL, sorry- I just had to add that. Even though that is his only win he’s there week in & week out with the same positive determination. Ricky Prine did a story on him just a few days ago. Brett has not missed a race since he bought the team from Junior Johnson in 1996. This streak may come to an end soon if sponsorship is not found. He has deals with Dura-Lube that will get him through Las Vegas-
but beyond that there is uncertainty.
Then there is Mr.Who needs a sponsor, I won the pole without one- Todd Bodine. Todd qualified Friday in an unsponsored car (Kmart’s deal ended with Rockingham) & broke the track record to boot! Didn’t he use a provisional at Rockingham last week? What an unpredictable sport. Have you ever noticed that this guy is smiling about 98% of the time? You can’t help but like him. Todd has had many strong races & it’s a wonder that he hasn’t won one yet; Sunday might change that in Vegas. Like his brother Geoffrey said after Daytona, “7 come 11 & we’re off to Vegas”. Good luck Todd! He needs it, as he is actually ready to get out his sheet metal fabricator tools & go to work in that capacity if sponsorship isn’t found. He said recently that he doubts they will be at Atlanta. Travis Carter, owner of cars #66 and #26 said, “we do have some hope and there are some listeners” & then went on to say that, “We're not quitters. We're not going to throw in the towel yet”.
Well Good Luck to all of the Bodines this season. I hope that soon they won’t have to worry about the sponsorship side of this so they can get back to racing & maybe have a little fun along the way & who knows maybe a win from one of them! I’ll revisit the Bodine’s in late summer to see where their respective seasons have taken them.
By Mike, aka SpeedRacer66 SpeedRacer66@hotmail.com
SEE my article about SPEEDWEEK 2002 on www.FanStop.com