374 - Geoff Bodine: Rivals and Revelations

For some NASCAR fans, the names Earnhardt and Bodine are like oil and water. Today, the much-anticipated interview as Geoff Bodine, one of Dale Earnhardt's biggest rivals, sits down with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis on The Download. The legendary NASCAR driver began his storied career in an all-female "powder puff" race and wore a wig to do so. From there, Bodine started his young career on the short tracks of the Northeast driving NASCAR Modifieds. In 1978, Bodine won an astonishing 55 out of 84 sanctioned races, a feat still in the Guinness Book of World Records. Bodine's winning ways in NASCAR's open wheel ranks led to opportunities down south in NASCAR's Late Model Sportsman series, now called the Xfinity Series, and eventually a ride in the elite Cup Series. The 1982 Cup Rookie of the Year details his early days and how he got a shot with a Charlotte car-salesman who was starting a NASCAR team. That car owner was Rick Hendrick. Hendrick paired the Yankee racer with a very southern crew chief, Harry Hyde. The effort fizzled quickly and Hendrick told the team they were out of money and shutting the doors. They were done. But Hyde convinced Hendrick to give them one more chance. Bodine talks about the Martinsville win that spring boarded his success and saved Hendrick Motorsports. With Bodine running at the front, run-ins were imminent. There were no greater run-ins than the ones he had with the Intimidator, Dale Earnhardt. The two rivals locked horns on several occasions, leading to a legendary meeting between the drivers, team owners and NASCAR's Bill France. Bodine explains what really went down in a scene famously depicted in the motion picture "Days of Thunder," Dale Jr. admits, how the rivalry created riffs between friends and families. No talk with Geoff could be complete without asking the difficult question about the 1994 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the incident between he and his brother Brett Bodine. The drama played out on a very public stage and shocked many in the racing world. But behind closed doors, all involved knew why it happened. It's something Geoff has a difficult time talking about to this day. Bodine is also known for surviving one of the most horrific crashes of all time, in the inaugural 250-mile NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Most who witnessed the wreck, thought there was no way he could have survived, but amazingly he did. Bodine details the crash and how he spoke with his father, who was deceased, during the near death experience. The incident effected Bodine's career and most importantly his life. He struggled physically with vision and pain, and emotionally with problems that he brings to the discussion at the table. Geoff shares his testimony in a vivid, open and honest way and how it led him to a faith, he believes, ultimately saved his life.. A faith that defines the legendary driver more than his 1986 Daytona 500 win. Aside from his racing efforts, Bodine also shares how he spearheaded an effort to get the United States Bobsled program Olympic Gold. We also learn about the NASCAR Country Music record he helped make happen and how he feels about potentially being in the NASCAR Hall of Fame discussion. OPEN SEGMENT Before Geoff Bodine came to the table Mike and Dale discuss: Dale details his trip to Houston, Texas for his wife Amy's birthday and how they attempted, again, to meet country music superstar George Strait. Mike has a big announcement for fans of Dirty Mo Media ASKJR Hannah Newhouse is in studio to deliver some fan questions inspired by unique observations that impressed Dale and co. Potential additions to the iRacing platform How Amy pulled him from living life in "a big funnel" An International Lost Speedway that peaks Dale Jr.'s interest Why Dale switched steering wheel sizes during his tenure at Hendrick Motorsports Favorite thing to order from Bojangles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices