NASCAR BGN Series Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 Report: #36, Todd Bodine
22 October 1997
#36 Todd Bodine, Stanley Pontiac Grand Prix
NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division
Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 Race Report
California Speedway
October 19, 1997
TODD BODINE RACE RECAP: KENWOOD HOME & CAR AUDIO 300
FONTANA, CA - Facts from Bodine's victory at California Speedway:
- Bodine's 10th NASCAR Busch Series victory.
- Last victory at South Boston, Va. on June 8, 1996. Has 41 starts since last
victory.
- Margin of victory 15.903 seconds over second place Steve Park.
- Led 18 laps (62-69 and 141-150).
- Won $67,200.
- Won Goody's Headache Powder Extra Strength Award.
- Qualified 26th during first round qualifying on Friday, elected to stand on
time during second round qualifying on Saturday and forced to start the race
in 28th position on Sunday.
- On lap 69, the team made a scheduled pit stop under green for four tires,
fuel and half a round of wedge. After pit stop confirmed excellent fuel
mileage.
- On lap 75, Bodine felt a vibration, so the team pitted under caution for
four tires and gas.
- On lap 79, the team pitted again under caution to top off the fuel. At this
point the team committed to go the remaining 71 laps without another pit stop.
To accomplish this goal, Bodine had to conserve fuel, so he immediately
started coasting through the corners and drafting with the help of drivers
Kevin Lepage and Ed Berrier.
- Bodine has three top-five finishes in the four inaugural races this year.
He finished third in Las Vegas, fourth in Texas and first in California.
Bodine also won the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series race at Penske's Michigan
International Speedway in 1992.
- Bodine is presently 200 points out of first place in the quest for the
NASCAR Busch Series Championship.
- Bodine took the red-eye flight from California to Atlanta where he tested
at Atlanta Motor Speedway with his Winston Cup team on Monday and Tuesday,
October 20-21.
By Events & Outings, Inc.
