Catchfence

Gunselman Motorsports gang looks to make third consecutive race; especially with SPEED TV following them for the weekend

MOORESVILLE, NC (Tuesday, March 31, 2009) – Todd Bodine and the unsponsored No. 64 Toyota head to Texas Motor Speedway with momentum and mechanics on their side. And, they are hoping to leave the Ft. Worth, TX-oval two steps ahead of where they were weeks ago.

Aiding in their effort will be a newly-purchased Toyota with a new motor under the hood. After making Bristol by qualifying 16th and Martinsville thanks to Mother Nature, the Gunselman Gang hopes another great qualifying effort will get them in the show and, in turn, closer to their goal of completing a race.

With a crew from SPEED TV scheduled to follow them this weekend, they have extra incentive to make the Samsung 500 qualifying field.

In Las Vegas, a faulty plug wire caused them to drop out while running 28th. In Bristol, they had their day cut short after getting pushed up into the outside wall just 58 laps into the race. For the Martinsville race, a motor problem plagued them all weekend causing that race to get cut very short for them.

Because of those results, they hope to leave the 1.5-mile track of TMS ahead of where they arrived. Not only in their progress, but also in the crucial owner’s points that decides the “go or go-homers” each weekend. Being 237 points from the coveted top-35 gives them plenty of incentive to improve and capitalize on their efforts, but they also know it’s a one-step-at-a-time process. Especially being underfunded compared to some of their competition.

Todd Bodine, driver

How far has the team come since Daytona: “Let me tell you, when Larry (Gunselman, owner) put this deal together, we knew it was going to be a struggle. We had no sponsorship, two cars, were working out of borrowed shop space and were only formed five weeks before Daytona. Now, we’re in a real shop with more room to work, have bought new cars and are making strides towards where we need to be more competitive.”

Most memorable Texas moment: “I have always done well at Texas in both the Trucks and Cup cars. The one I will never forget was when I was driving the No. 25 Budweiser spun out and lost that opportunity. Man, I still think about that one once in awhile.”

What do you like about racing at Texas: “The track is very intimidating when you’re sitting in the driver’s seat. The speeds are fast and the banking (24 degrees) in those turns makes for a great race. You can be real loose in both turns 1 and 3 and if you don’t drive them both just right, you’ll mess it up real fast. I like the 1.5-mile tracks and how I run there and that’s even more of a reason we need to have a great qualifying effort on Friday.”

Larry Gunselman, team owner: “We were supposed to have SPEED TV following us during practice, qualifying and pre-race last week in Martinsville. But when the weather pretty much cancelled everything but the race, they were nice enough to reschedule for this weekend in Texas. I’d like to thank them for that, too.

“This should be a good weekend to do that because we’re using a new car and will have a new motor for it, too. Its chassis No. 47 that we bought from Red Bull Racing and AJ Allmendinger won the Showdown with last year at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. So, this would be a great weekend for someone to get their name on the hood and quarter panels for both SPEED TV following us and because we are looking for a great racing weekend, too.”

Did you know: The least amount of cars to finish on the lead lap at TMS was eight in 1997; the most was 21 for the Spring 2007 race.

Chassis Info: The team will be using Car No. 47, newly purchased from Red Bull Racing and was driven to victory by AJ Allmendinger in the Spring Showdown at LMS last season.

Sponsorship openings still available: BE SEEN ON SPEED TV IN TEXAS. The team still has openings for unique sponsorship opportunities for anyone who wants to get involved in NASCAR racing; even if it’s just for a one-race deal. Send inquiries to info@larrygunselman.com All related emails will be answered – promptly, too.

Todd Bodine TMS Facts: Has made four (four) Sprint Cup Series starts with a best finish of 11th in 2003 and start of 15th in 2001. He has led a total of nine (9) laps with an average start of 22nd and finish of 28.5.

Tune In For the Win: The first practice for the Samsung 500 is Friday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (ET) with qualifying at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on Speed TV, Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio Ch. 128 and PRN Radio. Practice on Saturday is Noon to 12:45 p.m. and then Happy Hour from 1:20 to 2:20 p.m. Race action on Sunday begins at 2 p.m. on Fox TV, PRN Radio and Sirius/XM Radio Ch. 128.

- Packman Public Relations For Gunselman Motorsports, Press Release