Midwestern Hospitality: Following a week away from the track, ToddBodine travels to Iowa Speedway this weekend with his No. 11 Toyota Care team in the midst of a battle to turn his season around. Since pulling into victory lane at Dover in June, Bodine has fallen victim to a streak of bad luck and slipped from sixth to 14th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver point standings. Though many situations have been out of his control, the two-time series champion believes there’s a big advantage to racing in front of a large crowd of passionate fans. Fortunately for Bodine, the enthusiastic fan base that Iowa provides may be just the ticket to help him get fired up and back on track.
“From the first time any of us made the trip out to Iowa the fans have been so receptive and appreciative of us to coming to put a show on for them. Every autograph session has been packed and the stands are always full. It’s something that we really pay attention to because it gets you pumped up knowing that you’ve got a crowd to perform for. It just makes it that much better for us to come out there knowing that we’re appreciated,” Bodine explained.
Visiting Prairie Meadows: In town for the Iowa Speedway festivities? Come meet “The Onion” during a special appearance at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino on Tuesday evening, September 11, from 7 to 8:30 pm. He will be signing autographs and greeting fans in the Finish Line Lounge, and also randomly selecting the names of fans who have signed up to win tickets to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series American Ethanol 200 presented by Hy-Vee on Saturday night.
Fan Friendly Garage: Catering to the exceptional NASCAR fan base in the Midwest, Iowa Speedway and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will provide an “open garage” this weekend, giving the fans a chance to get up close to their favorite teams and drivers. The series drivers’ meeting will be held under the grandstands, accessible to the fans.
Previous Race Recap:Admittedly a fan of the fast, slick 1.5-mile oval, Bodine entered the Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chips 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway with a solid record and a chance to reverse his bad luck. After racing his way inside the top-10 early in the evening, Bodine began to slide back through the field while dealing with handling woes in his Tundra. A long green flag run put the No. 11 Toyota Care machine one lap down to the leaders, and unable to get his lap back, Bodine finished the night in 21st.
Todd Bodine on Iowa Speedway
What are the biggest challenges for you at Iowa?
Iowa is one of the tracks where you really need everything to go right. You have to have good track position, a truck that’ll handle well with big horsepower and good braking to get it to stop in the corner. The whole package like that is hard to get, that’s why every aspect of the game makes a difference.
If you had a choice, would you pick more intermediate tracks or short tracks?
I don’t know that I would pick one or the other, but I really like tracks with challenges. Whether it be a speedway, intermediate or short track, they all have their own set of challenges and characteristics. I enjoy tracks that are not easy to drive because it separates the good teams and good drivers from the bad.
Red Horse Racing PR
- FRIDAY FEATURE – Mike Greci: Veteran Presence - March 29, 2013
- Video: Danica Patrick wrecks out at Phoenix - March 3, 2013
- Danica Patrick Phoenix Accident Quotes - March 3, 2013