BODINE: Trying to One Up Career Best 2nd at Martinsville
03-24-2008 11:36 am

For 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine and the #30 Lumber Liquidators Tundra crew this season has started out 'OK.' While most would be satisfied with a win at the season opener in Daytona, a top-five and a top-ten finish in the first three races, this Germain Racing team doesn't focus on where they've been, it's what's next on the schedule and how to they do the best they can when they get there. For Bodine and the Lumber Liquidators crew, Martinsville Speedway is next and for Bodine, it's more than next, it's almost home.

"I went to school 45 minutes north of Martinsville in Rocky Mount at Franklin County High School," said Bodine, who will try to one-up his career-best second-place finish at Martinsville Speedway in the Lumber Liquidators Tundra on Saturday. "I've been going to Martinsville Speedway since I was seven. I've been there as a crew member, been there as a driver and seen my brothers win lots of races there."

Bodine, who hails from the racing Bodine family of Chemung, NY, has a lot of respect for the history and tradition of NASCAR racing. To him, Martinsville has a special rank over other NASCAR short tracks.

"The history of the track and the great races that have happened there make it stand out from other short tracks," said Bodine. "The type of track - there's not another one like it in the country with the long straightaways and tight corners. It's Martinsville, it holds its own mystique,"

While every win for the Lumber Liquidators Tundra is a big event for Bodine and Germain Racing, a win at Martinsville would be something special for Bodine.

"A win there in the Lumber Liquidators Tundra would be huge. It'd be like winning Daytona for me. I've been going there my whole life and watching my brothers win there and growing up around the track," said Bodine. "It'd be a big deal for sure."

Bodine will have more on his mind than adding his name to the list of Martinsville winners this weekend. He'll have two rookie teammates to observe and help as much as he can. It's a habit he picked up from Mark Martin.

"I'm going to help them or coach them because I was in their position before and when I needed help, I went to Mark Martin," said Bodine. "Mark always shot me straight and it helped me become a better driver. I know what it meant to me and how much it helped me and I know it's the right thing to do."

Germain Racing has won two or more races each year for a total of 14 wins. Along with the victories, the team has earned 4 Bud Pole awards, 56 top-five and 85 top-ten finishes and led 1355 laps in 158 Truck Series races.