2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

Todd Bodine, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series' defending champion, started off the week with one agenda, to find some success in the Lumber Liquidators Toyota Tundra at Memphis Motorsports Park. As the week progressed, another item was added to Bodine's list of to-do's, which was to mentor a young racer that would be filling in for his teammate in the No. 9 Team ASE/Germain Tundra for Saturday night's O'Reilly 200. Bodine scored his best-ever Truck Series finish at Memphis, and definitely did his part in helping Brad Keselowski fit into the Germain Racing mix this past weekend.

"We haven't had the best finishes at Memphis, we've had some bad luck, too, but this weekend, despite not really being able to get into the mix at the front of the field, we were able to get another top-ten finish in the Lumber Liquidators Tundra, and it's the best finish we've ever had in the No. 30 truck at Memphis," said Bodine of the Germain Racing effort.

Bodine qualified ninth for Saturday night's 200-lap race. Ever the competitor, he wasn't really satisfied with the team's eighth-place finish, but understands there are plenty of drivers out there that would've been happy with the effort.

"We are the defending series champs. So, honestly, eighth isn't good enough. Everyone on the Lumber Liquidators team, we all want more than this, all the time, which is what keeps us competitive, and, it's what makes it hard for us to be happy with just a top-ten finish. When you know you're Toyota Tundra, and your team, is good enough to win, you always want to be there, challenging, ready to get another trip to victory lane," explained Bodine.

Todd Bodine's No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota Tunda was loose in practice at Memphis. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

Throughout the practice sessions on Friday, Bodine's Tundra was grasping for grip. The crew made adjustments that proved to add too much grip, and during the 200-lap race, the No. 30 Lumber Liquidators  Tundra was tight.

"We couldn't get the truck loosened up enough. The worst problem was getting off the corners, it really pushed. We got it a little better in the center, but we never got it to turn the way we needed, or come off the corners strong enough to fight for positions," said Bodine. "I'm sure there were plenty of guys that would've been happy with the Lumber Liquidators Tundra we had, but, for us, we all know we can do better than that, and we're looking forward to showing it at Kentucky."

In addition to scoring his career-best finish at Memphis, Bodine remains third in the Truck Series points standings.

When Bodine isn't behind the wheel of his Tundra, he is paying attention to the aspiring drivers that show up in the NASCAR garage. His eye for talent played a big role in Germain Racing's almost show-stopping success at Memphis.

Young driver Brad Keselowski in the No. 9 Team ASE Toyota Tundra showed he can get it done in Memphis. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

"I don't know, I just like helping young drivers whenever I get a chance to. I seem to always find a few that I talk to, and offer advice. For the last year, Brad Keselowski has been my pick," said Bodine. "We were just talking to Brad at Milwaukee, and then we ended up needing a driver to fill in for Teddy (Musgrave) at Memphis. I thought Brad would be a good fit, and the more I learned about him, the more I realized why I like him so much. His racing and family stories are a lot like mine."

Bodine, along with Mark Martin and Ted Musgrave, recommended Keselowski to Germain Racing's general manager, Mike Hillman Sr. He then took a lot of time to talk to the 23 year-old racer and encourage him.

Keselowski returned the favor by giving Germain Racing their third Bud Pole award, a first for the No. 9 team. He then led the 200-lap race on four occasions for 62 laps. He finished 16th after being bumped from the lead with nine laps to go.

"I was glad to see Brad do so well. He should definitely have some new fans after Memphis," said Bodine.

SOURCE: Germain Racing Communicaitons