Chat Transcript: Todd Bodine

March 1, 2001
10:07 AM EST (1507 GMT)

[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Todd Bodine!

[Todd_Bodine] Welcome to everyone tonight. It is nice to come on after a win, so let's get going.

[Nascar_Host1] We've heard a lot of drivers say they've learned a lot from Dale. What was the most important thing you learned from him?

[Todd_Bodine] That is a tough question. One thing you learned from Dale was to get out of the way when he was behind you! He taught me how to be a racer, and by that I mean being focused in what you do, understanding what you do, and getting the most out of your racecar every lap.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Marty] Thanks for the great fan club site. Your wife seems to be very active on it. How often do you visit it?

[Todd_Bodine] I don't get to visit it as much as I would like, but we are working on a whole new web site and it should be up and running soon. We will not have a fan club any more but we will have the web site for people to log on to. That is a better way to reach all the fans, not just my fans.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [dalejr_fan] Todd, do you plan on using any other safety devices in your car like the HANS from now on? or at least trying them?

[Todd_Bodine] Since the Phoenix race from last year I have been using the Simpson restraint system. I have been working with Bill on its development and it is a good alternative to the HANS device. Short-trackers across the country can get it rather easily. I have not used the HANS yet but I do have one on order and I do intend on trying it.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [budgirlSC] Todd, I want to know what everyone's feelings are about putting a brake light on the back windshield of the cars to let y'all know they are slowing down.

[Todd_Bodine] Brake lights on the back of the cars are not really necessary. When you are out there racing, everybody is pretty much using their brakes at the same point on the track. If there is an accident and the brakes go on, 9 times out of 10 the guy behind you saw the accident at the same time. I don't think it would make the accidents any less frequent. The guys that are going to run into you are going to run into you.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [foo_monkey] Todd, do you wear Route 66 clothes?

[Todd_Bodine] Yes, I have started purchasing them since we got the K-mart sponsor. It is a very quality line of clothing and I am very proud to wear it.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Marty] Todd, how closely are you and Jimmy working? and do you share any information with Brett?

[Todd_Bodine] Jimmy and I have a really good relationship. We are trying very hard to make this team thing work, and with that comes sharing information and ideas. It is going to take some time to get the bugs worked out and understand each other. We are going to have a good situation and help each other in the long run. Brett is still a competitor and we do talk racing, but if we find anything in particular that works really well, that stays in our shop.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Teressa] Todd, does the competition on the track affect your relationship with your brothers?

[Todd_Bodine] No, not really. It is very hard being competitors but you have to separate that from being family. We have done a very good job of doing that but it is a very hard situation sometimes.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [foo_monkey] Todd, does Darrell Waltrip come in to the 66 garage and try to boss you around?

[Todd_Bodine] Darrell comes over and visits with the guys and talks racing but I think he enjoys the position he is in being a broadcaster and not racing any more. He hasn't had a lot to offer in that area, but he is always welcome to come over and visit.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [DEI] Todd, what's going on with Geoffrey? I haven't heard if he retired or if he is still racing.

[Todd_Bodine] Geoff is taking time off on doctor's orders. He has post-concussion syndrome but he is not retired. He is waiting until he heals up, and if a good opportunity comes along he would probably take it.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [kellythe3fan] Todd, what do you do to prepare for the races?

[Todd_Bodine] The only thing I really try to do is eat pasta the night before a race. I try to fill up on fluids, hydrate myself with water and try to get a good nights race. Mentally it isn't real hard for me to get in and do my driving. You just have to concentrate every lap.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [foo_monkey] Todd, what's your choice for this year's Best Picture Oscar? Do you like movies about gladiators?

[Todd_Bodine] Actually I did watch the movie Gladiator on DVD and it was really good. Erin Brockovich was a great movie, too.

[Nascar_Host1] How did you celebrate your birthday?

[Todd_Bodine] We went out to dinner with some friends, then came home and had some cake and ice cream. My daughter decorated the cake for me. Then I went to bed early.

[Nascar_Host1] Will there be any "Todd" t-shirts available at K-mart soon?

[Todd_Bodine] Yes, there probably will be. We are working on that right now. We just got our program in place so keep checking and visiting K-mart. They should be there soon.

[Nascar_Host1] Why do you think you struggle more driving in the Winston Cup than Busch Series?

[Todd_Bodine] The majority of my experience is in the Busch Series and the cars take a different setup and driving style. At this point in my career I can get in a Busch car and know what I need to have in it to handle well. I know how to run the races to get up front, and I feel in time with the right situation in Cup, I can get to the same point. That takes time and we will eventually get there.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Teressa] Congratulations on your win Saturday. What do you enjoy doing with your spare time?

[Todd_Bodine] Sleeping! :) My wife and I have horses and when I get a chance I enjoy riding with her. Other than that we don't have a lot of time. In my spare time I like to be at home and spend time with my daughter.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [pitroad3313] Todd, what do you consider the biggest difference between Busch and Winston Cup?

[Todd_Bodine] There are quite a few differences. There are none that are really major, but driving the cars is probably the biggest. Driving the cars is different, but as a general rule, the 2 divisions are pretty similar. It takes more finesse to drive a Winston Cup car.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [foo_monkey] Todd, how much time do you spend online? What are you favorite web sites? Do you play any of the fantasy racing games on NASCAR.com?

[Todd_Bodine] The only real time I get to spend online is during these types of chats and with my fans on my site. I don't have much time for anything and going online all the time is pretty low on my list.

[Nascar_Host1] How would you design your perfect Winston Cup track?

[Todd_Bodine] I don't know if I would consider it a perfect Winston Cup track, but I would have to build a brand-new Bristol with all the modern amenities. I would change the racetrack very slightly to make it a bit more competitive. Bristol is a great track for fans to see the race and it is great to race on. Las Vegas is also real close to a perfect track -- you can run two-wide, the surface is great, and the people of the city really accept us. The amenities of the track are great as well, and it might even be the nicest facility in the country.

[Nascar_Host1] Which do you race harder for: the points or beating your brother Brett?

[Todd_Bodine] I am not there to beat my brother. I am there to beat 42 other competitors. If you can't win the race, you race for points. It has nothing to do with beating my brother.

[Nascar_Host1] What advice do you have for the guys entering their 1st or 2nd year in Cup?

[Todd_Bodine] Don't set your expectations too high. Winston Cup is very competitive. Go out and race the track and eventually you will become competitive.

[Nascar_Host1] Talk about your relationship with Carl Haas and Travis Carter.

[Todd_Bodine] Carl I don't know all that well. I have only had the opportunity to talk with him a few times at the track. He is a very nice man, and he is a racer, which makes it easier. I have known Travis for quite a few years. We have always had quite a good relationship. As a car owner I think he understands what it takes to be successful because he has been a crewmember and a crew chief for so long. He gives us everything we need to do it with and our relationship has become very good in the fact that he as confidence in me and I have confidence in him that we are going to make this work.

[Nascar_Host1] Do you take anything on the road with you that reminds you of home?

[Todd_Bodine] When we go on the road we usually take our motorcoach with us, and that is our home away from home. My wife has decorated it with pictures and for the most part we try to take our home with us.

[Nascar_Host1] Folks, that's all the time Todd has for us today. Thanks Todd! Todd, what are your final thoughts?

[Todd_Bodine] It is time to go! I just heard the buzzer ring on the chicken for dinner! It has been great chatting. Please keep the Earnhardt family in your prayers.