BODINE: Strong Fourth Place Finish in Nationwide at Darlington
05-12-2008 12:01 am
Germain Racing's no. 30 Lumber Liquidators crew spent their weekend off doing what most racers do - racing. Driver Todd Bodine had the wheel of the no. 03 Germain Motor Company Camry and crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. was atop the box calling the shots. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series crew wanted to prove they could keep pace with the NASCAR Nationwide Series competition and that they did. Bodine started 15th, chased down the race leader near and finished evening in fourth place. "It was a great night for the Germain Racing Camry. We actually had a car to win and I goofed up and got up in the wall in turns three and four when I was behind Matt (Kenseth) and that really messed it up," said Bodine, who has one NNS win at Darlington (2003). "The contact with the wall took the right front fender and pushed it in and then the car pushed after that. We had a great night, great pit stops -- the guys are doing a heck of a job and I'm just proud to be here racing." Bodine was also very proud of this Truck Series team's effort to show its strength in the Nationwide Series, against many Sprint Cup Series stars. "It's great to be able to finish a Nationwide race in the top-five with all of these Cup guys. It just shows this old truck team is pretty tough," smiled Bodine. Germain Racing has a team motto of 'never give up' and Bodine and crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. put that to the test as they worked through the practice sessions, fine tuning on the no. 03 Germain Camry until it was good enough to run with the leaders at Darlington. "We had a good car, but the guys worked hard to get it there. We started practice terrible, second practice was terrible and by the end of third practice we knew we had a good car. These Germain Racing guys never give up," said Bodine. In the closing laps, Bodine brought the no. 03 Camry home for a fourth place finish, steering clear of a wreck that took out the second place car. "Some of the guys were close on fuel there at the end. I really expected to see the 38 car run out of gas, but instead, I saw Mark (Martin, car no. 5) pointed toward the outside wall. I followed (Clint) Bowyer. When you're closer, it's easier to miss something like that - it's harder when you're further back," said Bodine of clearing the accident. Bodine really enjoyed his return to Darlington and said the track surface was just as it should be - still Darlington. "It's smooth, no bumps, but it races exactly the same. There's no difference except that it's faster and smoother - but it is definitely still Darlington," said Bodine. The crew behind the no. 03 Germain Motor Company Camry was Bodine's regular Tundra crew, and he couldn't have been more proud of their efforts. Bodine and the crew will have the Lumber Liquidators Tundra on track Friday, May 16th at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Catch the action in the grandstands or live on SPEED.