NASCAR is reevaluating its staffing on its pace car and chase vehicles and is seriously considering turning pace car driving duties in its Nextel Cup series races over to former Cup driver Brett Bodine, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Bodine, 45, who retired from active competition, was recently hired by NASCAR to tackle several special projects with its research and development team based in Concord, NC, including work on the “car of the future,” which will incorporate new safety measures. Bodine would replace Buster Auton, who has served as pace car driver in the Cup series since 1997, following the death of Elmo Langley. Auton has missed only a handful of races due to medical reasons. Auton is expected to then move to the “chase car,” NASCAR’s first-response vehicle to accident scenes, generally followed by safety crews and ambulances. Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president for corporate communications, said no final decisions have been made on staffing changes. “Whether Buster is driving the pace car or the chase car or whatever Buster Auton is doing, he is a vital part of NASCAR’s operations,” Hunter said. Hunter said NASCAR is always evaluating its needs on the track and in the garage, attempting to find where its employees’ talent can be best utilized. Bodine drove in Cup for 20 seasons. He had one win and five poles in 480 career starts. A formal announcement of any changes is expected within a couple of weeks.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-23-2004)
