NASCAR Cup

Michigan: Todd Bodine preview

MICHIGAN HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE DURING YOUR CUP CAREER. WHAT MAKES IT TOUGH? "I think it's one of those tracks that demands quite a bit from the driver. It's also why I love to go there. However, it's a challenge. The biggest mistake you can ...

Published: Jun 10, 2003, 2:36 PM

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MICHIGAN HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE DURING YOUR CUP CAREER. WHAT MAKES IT TOUGH?

"I think it's one of those tracks that demands quite a bit from the driver. It's also why I love to go there. However, it's a challenge. The biggest mistake you can make is to overdrive. It's so easy to do because to run fast, you've got to push the car to the very edge. That's when it can get a little tricky. But it you know where the threshold is you can really make a run at it. I've been fortunate to win at Michigan in the Busch Series so I know if we find the right balance, we've got a chance with this National Guard team. We've been getting better over the last five races so this could be our week."

AT MICHIGAN, FUEL MILEAGE REALLY SEEMS TO COME INTO PLAY. YOU ALMOST MADE IT WORK FOR YOU AT POCONO. WILL YOU TRY AND GAMBLE AGAIN?

"Absolutely, if there's a legitimate chance. Last week we pushed our car to the very limit and the caution came two laps too late. If it looks as if everyone is trying to stretch their fuel by staying out longer then we'll certainly do it too. Track position means everything at Michigan so we'll be looking for the best strategy that will give us the best track position. We've got a good combination of horsepower and gas mileage thanks to the guys at Robert Yates Racing. We've also got Wynn Chapman on the pit box running our fuel numbers. He's been doing this for Travis Carter a long time. If he thinks we can stretch it, I have no doubt that we can."

FATHER'S DAY HAPPENS THIS WEEKEND. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF YOUR FATHER WHO ONCE RAN THE FAMOUS CHEMUNG SPEEDROME?

"I was 13-years old and my father had just sold the Speedrome. The new owner was starting a new series on Wednesdays and I was checking it out. While there, the owner asked me if I wanted to take one of the cars for a spin. I told him 'heck yeah.' I got some pillows and blankets and the guys propped me up in there. I took the car out and started to go faster and faster. I was the fastest one out there. My dad drove up to the entrance and asked who was driving that thing and they all said, 'It's Todd.' I remember seeing dad running out waving for me to stop. From that point on, I knew I was a racer."

"My father has since passed on but one of the things I am most proud of is the fact that he got to watch all three of his sons run in a Daytona 500. I think it was in 1995 and I remember how nervous he was. He was always so nervous watching us race. He's seen a lot of races in his time, but I guess it's not the same when your kids are actually behind the wheel."

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