Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 13, 1994 TAG: 9408160066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. LENGTH: Medium
``It's a buried issue. History is history,'' said Brett Bodine. ``We had a meeting in the NASCAR trailer this morning. We discussed the on-track situation and future on-track situations.''
``No problem,'' said Geoff Bodine. He declined to discuss what happened in the NASCAR trailer, calling it a ``private meeting.'' But he added: ``We're at the race track. This is NASCAR territory. There is no problem between us here in NASCAR land.''
But outside NASCAR land, there appeared to be no change in the unfriendly relations between the two.
The family feud was revealed by Geoff after Brett spun him out in turn 4 on lap 100 during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis last Saturday. That incident occurred after Geoff had bumped Brett in turn 3 and then passed him to take the lead. After the wreck, Geoff said he and Brett hadn't spoken in months.
``That's off-track stuff,'' Brett said Friday. ``We're not going to talk about off-track stuff. It should never have been thrown on the table for you all to digest.''
As far as the on-track incident, Brett said: ``If somebody runs into the back of you and gets you sideways and out of shape and is able to take advantage of it, they can darn well expect to get booted back. I don't know it any other way in racing. Sure, I didn't appreciate getting bumped. But I didn't expect to spin him out. I made a mistake. It was never my intention for that to happen.''
Brett said his relationship with his older brother is no different than it was last week, ``but maybe we'll get a chance to work on that.''
ANDRETTI'S JOB HUNT: John Andretti, who lost his job as the driver of Billy Hagan's No.14 Chevrolet Lumina after the Brickyard 400, was prowling through the garage Friday looking for a new ride.
Andretti left the team after the Brickyard 400 when Hagan, who has no sponsor, decided to drop out of the Winston Cup Series, at least on a full-time basis, after running out of money.
``I've got to make a decision, but I don't know what I'm going to do yet,'' Andretti said. ``I'm available.''
Andretti said he has a couple of options but would prefer a ride that will continue into next season ``to get a little continuity.''
One of Andretti's options apparently is Richard Petty's Pontiac, since Petty and Wally Dallenbach probably will go their separate ways after Sunday's race.
``I talked to him,'' Petty said. ``But we're still waiting to see what happens here in this race. It's a big decision. And you're sort of like between a rock and a hard place. You hate to make a commitment right now, but you might want to get someone right away to try some things out for 1995.''
JUNIOR ON THE PROWL: Junior Johnson confirmed he is looking for new sponsors for 1995.
Although no formal announcements have been made, reports that Budweiser and McDonald's are leaving Johnson are well past the rumor stage. Budweiser reportedly will sponsor Ken Schrader and the No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet next year, and McDonald's will join Bill Elliott with his new team.
``I really don't know what I'm going to do'' for sponsors, Johnson said. He also said he doesn't know whether he'll have one or two cars next year. He confirmed that Jimmy Spencer will be back with him because Spencer has a two-year contract.
As to speculation that the Lowe's home supply chain, based in North Wilkesboro, N.C., will sponsor one of his cars, Johnson said, ``I really don't know anything about that. I've heard that story, but I haven't talked to them.''
SPEED LEAVING MOORE?: Reports surfaced that Lake Speed has told car owner Bud Moore he won't be back next year to drive the No. 15 Ford Thunderbird.
``I have no comment at the moment,'' Speed said. ``They're going to say something tomorrow.''
DICK BROOKS, CAR OWNER: Sabco Racing and car owner Felix Sabates will have a news conference today, reportedly to announce that car dealer, pit announcer and former stock car racer Dick Brooks has bought 49 percent of the No.40 Pontiac Grand Prix team (with driver Bobby Hamilton) and will have an active role in running the team.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB