BODINE: Unique Track Hometown Challenge
09-08-2009 3:26 pm

When the No. 30 Ventrilo Tundra takes to the track at Gateway International Raceway for the Copart 200, the hometown fans of Ventrilo will see a special new blue and white paint scheme on a truck that many Gateway fans are accustomed to seeing at the front of the field in racing trim. Driver Todd Bodine has spent 86.4% of the 640 laps he's raced at Gateway in the Top-15, according to NASCAR's Loop Data Statistics. Bodine has one win, three top-5 and four top-10 finishes at the track located just outside St. Louis, MO.

"Gateway is one of my favorite tracks to race because the driver can make such a big difference. I'm really looking forward to racing the Ventrilo Tundra in front of a hometown crowd for Brian Knapp and everyone at Flagship Industries," said Bodine. "This team has brought trucks to Gateway that handle well and I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Ventrilo Tundra in the Copart 200 on Saturday."

Setting up a race truck for the unique shape of Gateway's 1.25-mile oval is an interesting challenge according to crew chief Mike Hillman Jr.

"The challenge of Gateway is that you have to set up the Ventrilo Tundra to race at two separate race tracks. The opposite ends of the track require very different handling characteristics. We will work to make the Ventrilo Tundra turn well in the middle of both corners which should put us in great shape for the race," said Hillman.

Hillman has prepared Germain Racing chassis number TRD-122 to run the last of the six primary sponsorship races with Ventrilo.

"We really appreciate the opportunity to promote the Ventrilo product for Flagship Industries. We had a great race in the Ventrilo Tundra at Chicagoland and we're looking to give Ventrilo another strong performance at their home track. A top performance would be the best way to cap off what has been a great relationship with Ventrilo that we certainly look to continue in the future," said Hillman.

Bodine races the No. 30 Ventrilo Tundra Saturday afternoon night at Gateway International Raceway. Qualifying is at 11:05 AM Eastern with racing to follow at 2:30 PM ET. Tune into SPEED or your local MRN affiliate. Todd Bodine enters Gateway ranked fifth in the Truck Series championship standings with two wins this season.

Notes on Gateway International Raceway

Ventrilo has been the primary sponsor of the No. 30 Ventrilo Tundra of Germain Racing at Kansas Speedway, O'Reilly Raceway Park, Nashville, Bristol and Chicagoland.

The No. 30 Ventrilo Tundra will compete for the second time in Flagship Industries' home state of Illinois when it takes the green flag on Saturday afternoon at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill.

Bodine Has Spent Over 86% of 640 Laps Raced at Gateway in Top 15

Germain Racing scored their first-ever top-ten finish in the NNS when the team entered their first NNS race at Gateway in 2007. The Germain Racing Camry was driven by Todd Bodine. He led 15 laps and was a contender to win the race; he finished tenth.

Chassis TRD-122 was chosen for Gateway. Last race: Iowa.

Germain Racing has won two or more races each year in the Truck Series since its first race in 2004. The team has 18 wins, six pole awards and one Truck Series championship

Bodine has earned 17 wins and four pole awards with Germain Racing