Ronda Greer Photo

No. 30 Germain Motor Company Toyota driver Todd Bodine loves rollercoasters but had no idea when the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season started, that his season would resemble one.

Starting the season with a new team, Bodine finished third at Daytona but then struggled through nine more races.

At Milwaukee, Bodine was reunited with his 2004 team, Germain Racing, and it took only his second race with the group to break into victory lane at Kansas for his first win of the season and the third NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win of his career. Since rejoining the Germain team, Bodine has moved from 15th in championship standings to fifth.

"To a certain degree it has [been a rollercoaster]," said Bodine, who won two races running for Stephen Germain in 2004. "We tried to make that FiddleBack Racing deal work. Fortunately, Bob, Steve and Rick Germain were there to pick me up and get back rolling."

Since that breakthrough race, Bodine has gone on to win at Las Vegas and has three second-place finishes and a third-place result in eight races.

Todd Bodine and current points leader Dennis Setzer at the Las Vegas 350. (Ronda Greer Photo)

"If we didn't have some of the bad luck we've been thrown, we would be right up there with Ted (Musgrave) and Dennis (Setzer) for the points race," said Bodine. "Obviously, the start of the season was shaky but then we got back with Mike Hillman Sr. and Mike Hillman Jr. at Germain Racing.

"Since coming back we have been able to get things going. We are running well every week at the track. The team is excited and looking forward to the rest of the season and winning some more races."

Bodine, a Chemung, N.Y. native, actually went to high school in Roanoke, Va. and considers Martinsville his home track.

"Growing up as a kid, I remember going to Martinsville to watch the modifieds run and watch my brothers race," said Bodine. "When I got older, I went to the track as a crew member, changing tires for my brother Brett in the modifieds. I didn't grow up in Martinsville, but it's like home for me."

When the series returns to the track, Bodine will be looking to visit someplace at Martinsville he's never been before as a driver - victory lane.

Bodine in the No. 30 Germain Toyota at Martinsville, October 23, 2004 (High Sierra Photo)

"A win at Martinsville would mean everything," said Bodine. "I have been going to that track since I was eight years old. I have sat in the grandstands, been in the infield, changed tires on pit road and I've driven here.

"This track is part of my family. To be at Martinsville, get a win and bring home that Grandfather clock would mean everything to me."

If Bodine pulls off a win, he'll be the second driver who considers Martinsville his home track to drive into victory lane. The first - current NASCAR Busch Series driver and Virginia native Jon Wood - won the fall race in 2003.