Todd Bodine Triumphs In Toyota Tundra At California Track
Earns First Nascar Craftsman Truck Win

FONTANA, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2004) -- Toyota earned its third victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) tonight when Todd Bodine drove his No. 30 Germain/Arnold Racing Tundra into 'Victory Lane' after a late race charge to the checkered flag in the American Racing Wheels 200 at California Speedway.

Bodine, who earned his first career NCTS victory in 11 series starts, crossed the finish line first in just his fourth race with the recently-formed Germain/Arnold Racing team. The Chemung, N.Y.-native, who started ninth, ran among the leaders throughout the first half of the 100-lap event at California Speedway. He even moved ahead of the field on lap eight, and held the lead for eight circuits around the two-mile oval.

However, when the yellow flag waved for a caution period just past the halfway point, Bodine made a routine pit stop on lap 58 for four new tires and fuel. Unfortunately, the team encountered some problems during the stop.

"We had a lug nut fall off the left front tire," said Bodine, following the race. "Those things happen in racing. You have to expect it, and be prepared for it. But, even though we had a little problem, I still knew we had a truck that was good enough to get back up front."

Following the stop, Bodine returned to the track in 10th-place and immediately began making his charge to the front of the field. "I just had to pace myself when I got back on the track," said Bodine. "When I would catch a truck - it was important to set them up and then pass them, and not try to wear out my Tundra in the process. I had a short time to move to the front and came pretty close to wearing out my Tundra."

Before long, there was just one truck ahead of Bodine, and it belonged to race-leader Ted Musgrave, winner of three straight NCTS races at California Speedway. "When I came up on Teddy (Musgrave), my truck was pretty much 'spent' -- the tires were almost gone. But, I got a good run on Teddy and got by him. Then, I slipped up and he got back under me. We had a really good race, side-by-side, for a lap-and-a-half or two laps. Finally, Teddy slipped and I got in front of him. From there I just concentrated on hitting my marks, being smooth and making no mistakes."

Bodine moved into the lead on lap 95 and led the final six laps en route to the checkered flag. It was the first NCTS victory for Germain/Arnold Racing.
"Tonight was just an awesome night," added Bodine. "This is just only our fourth race togther -- with Germaine/Arnold Racing and Toyota - and it can't get any better than this. My Tundra was just awesome all night long. It was great when we began practice, and we just 'tinkered' with it for practice and qualifying. We knew after 'Happy Hour' we had a 'piece' to run with everyone -- and sure enough we did.

"Last week, we felt like we should have won the race (in Las Vegas) when we finished second. To finish second last week, and then come back and win this week, is pretty gratifying."

Also finishing in the top-10 were rookie David Reutimann, in the No. 17 Darrell Waltrip Motorsports NTN Bearings Tundra, and Johnny Benson in the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Tundra. Hank Parker Jr. (15th), Robert Huffman (17th) and Travis Kvapil (18th) also recorded top-20 finishes for Toyota.

In addition to winning the race, Toyota Tundra drivers also had a stellar day qualifying, as Travis Kvapil picked up Toyota's third pole position of the season -- and his first career NCTS pole -- and Mike Skinner started on the outside of the front row. Unfortunately, both Kvapil (accident) and Skinner (engine change) had to move to the rear of the field before the green flag.

After 20 2004 races, four Toyota drivers sit among the top-17 in the NCTS championship point standings. Kvapil is seventh in the point standings with 2,623 points, just 310 points behinds first-place Bobby Hamilton. Skinner is 11th (2,482 points) in the standings, Reutimann is 14th (2,410 points) and Parker Jr. is 17th (2,274 points). Reutimann also tops the Rookie-of-the-Year standings.

The next NCTS race is Saturday, October 16, at Texas Motor Speedway, beginning at 2:00 PM (EST).

Toyota Finishing Positions - California Speedway

1st, Todd Bodine, Germain/Arnold Racing, No. 30 Tundra
6th, David Reutimann, Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, No. 17 NTN Bearings Tundra
7th, Johnny Benson, Bill Davis Racing, No. 23 Toyota Tundra
15th, Hank Parker Jr., Innovative Motorsports, No. 21 AirVest Tundra
17th, Robert Huffman, Innovative Motorsports, No. 12 Toyota Tundra
18th, Travis Kvapil, Bang Racing, No. 24 Line-X Toyota Tundra
28th, Bill Lester, Bill Davis Racing, No. 22 Hot Tamales Tundra
33rd, Mike Skinner, Bill Davis Racing, No. 5 Toyota Tundra

Toyota Drivers in the NCTS Point Standings - following California Speedway

7th Travis Kvapil 2,623 points
11th Mike Skinner 2,482 points
14th David Reutimann 2,410 points
17th Hank Parker Jr. 2,274 points
23rd Bill Lester 1,880 points
24th Robert Huffman 1,838 points
26th Johnny Benson 1078 points
29th Todd Bodine 802 points