Bodine just celebrated his 65th birthday and I teased him on my Web-Site which he follows on his big birthday. He is in the Guiness World of Racing records with his incredible 55 victories in 84 races in one season in the top division NASCAR Modifies. In the top ten all-time Nascar Modified Drivers.
Daytona 500 winner and at the same Daytona International Speedway, on Febuary 18, 2000 15x/line Ford for Billy Ballew driving in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ,I witnessed the most horrific racing accident of my 50 year career at 190 miles per hour on the homestretch when the Truck was destroyed in to sections and pieces. All I could see was what remained on the safety roll cage spinning like top in front of me.
I asked Geoff tonight about the wreck and he sad that God had to have intervened to spare his life and he is a true believer. At 65, no after side effects and loves everyday of his life.
I also asked him how it felt after all these years about winning the Daytona 500 and then just absorbed his still beaming response from a pure Racer.
He then told our audience about his start with Rick Hendrick Motorsports. He won the 1982 NASCAR Rookie of the Year and his first win at Martinsville VA. in 1984 and was also Rick Hendricks first win as an owner. The race was his 69th career start.
Rick Hendrick had a meeting with him before the race and sad that this was it and the well was dry.
They had to win or attract more sponsors to right the sinking ship. Well Geoff Bodine did both and then won the 1986 Daytona 500.
Should Bodine be credited with keeping Rick Hendrick in Racing ? Just think that if no Rick Hendrick theirs no Tim Richmond, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon. Jimmie Johnson
In 1987 he was the IROC Champion and also 6 Busch Grand National Victories. Last NASCAR driver to win a race and also lap the entire field, in the fall of 1994 at Wilksboro Speedway.He won his last race in 1996 at the Bud in the Glenn New York.
He is credited with introducing power steering to racing and a full face helmet. He also bought the assets of the Alan Kuwiki race team when he died so young to help himself and the Kuwiki's Family.
565 career starts, 37 poles, 18 wins, Daytona 500 Trophy and 16 million in purse winnings.
He then set up a Honda Business in Florida and re-invented himself in BO-DYN Bobsled Company to design bobsleds for the USA Olympic Team till this day ! What a true American Hero.
He also has started a program to help the Veterans in the Wounded Warrior Program now.
Thank You, Geoff Bodine for all that you have accomplished. Wayne G.Barber, host of the "Race Chatter"
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