The Most Talented Bodine
Dateline: 05/08/2000Todd Bodine's performance this week in Richmond raises the obvious question "Why doesn't this guy have a full-time quality Winston Cup ride?" Todd has the drive and desire it takes so succeed as well as a ton of raw driving ability.
On Saturday night Todd blew a tire in his Joe Falk owned #91 and slammed the wall on lap 43 to finish 43rd. Todd then took over the driving duties from his brother Geoffrey who was tiring in his first race back after a horrible wreck in Daytona. This was when Todd truly began to make his presence known.
The Power Team #60 car was nearly three laps down when Todd took over the driving duties on lap 172 of the 400 lap race. But Todd drive the wheels off of the car, got back on the lead lap and finished 13th. If not for the lapped traffic and the nearly 3 lap head start he had to give the leaders Todd would have had a legitimate shot to collect his first Winston Cup victory.
Solid Credentials
The youngest Bodine brother grew up around racing with modifieds in the northeast. He understands the sport from the inside out as he has spent time as the crew chief in the Busch series and as a fabricator for Bobby Hillin.
His driving credentials are no less impressive. In the highly competitive Busch series Todd has collected a total of 10 wins, has finished in the top ten more than 50 percent of the time and is one of the favorites to win the Busch series Championship this year.
Todd's Winston Cup driving career is a little less spectacular. He spent two years in the mid nineties driving the #75 Factory Stores car for car owner Butch Mock. The highlight of this driving stint was probably at "The Winston" in 1995. Todd won the Winston Open to qualify for the big show, started dead last and was storming through the field when he got caught up in a wreck.
Later on Todd returned to Winston Cup to drive the brand new Tabasco car for the 98 season. Faced with a brand new team and a less-experienced crew, Todd only lasted until July before a frustrated team owner decided to make a change to find better "chemistry."
The Perfect Situation
Todd has the raw talent to be a star, he just needs the right situation. Much like Cole Trickle in the movie "Days Of Thunder" Todd can (and will) drive the living snot out the car. He needs an experienced crew chief who can calm him down and convince him to take it easy through the middle portion of the race and run hard only when he needs to.
With Darrell Waltrip retiring after this year I think that Todd could greatly benefit from the experience of Travis Carter and Phillipe Lopez in the 66 car. The team is ripe for a change and could benefit from Todd's hard charging style. At the same time Todd is ready to make the permanent move up to Winston Cup.
There is no one with better credentials, more experience, or a heavier right foot available. With a little bit of guidance and a decent ride he could be great.
