hearing the #66 Fiddleback Racing team, with driver Todd Bodine, has closed up shop and will not race at Milwaukee. Bodine could end up with another Toyota team, not sure who or what.(6-20-2005)
UPDATE: from the Fiddleback Racing site: “Due to lack of sponsorship in both 2004 & 2005, Fiddle Back Racing has closed its doors”(6-21-2005)
UPDATE 2: the Todd Bodine site says he will be back in the #30 Toyota, assuming for Milwaukee and beyond and no word what is up with Chad Chaffin, the current/former driver of the truck.(Todd Bodine site)(6-21-2005)
UPDATE 3: The Germain / Arnold Racing team announced today that driver Todd Bodine has been reunited with his winning combination from last season and will pilot the #30 Toyota Tundra for the remainder of the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. In a joint announcement, the team also announces that they have amicably parted ways with driver Chad Chaffin. Chaffin had competed in the first ten events of the season behind the wheel of the #30 Toyota with a best finish of fifth at Martinsville and he currently stands 16th in the overall driver’s standings.
“It was a tough decision for us to make but you have to consider all things as you try to improve your race team,” stated Bob Germain, co-owner of Germain / Arnold Racing. “Todd and Mike Hillman Sr. have a special chemistry together that we feel will give our team a better chance of winning races during the rest of the season. Chad has done a great job for our team this year and we have enjoyed spending time with him both on and off the track. He certainly has represented Germain / Arnold Racing and Toyota very well and we wish him the best of luck in his career.”
Bodine, who has competed in the first ten races this season as driver of the #66 Toyota became available earlier this week. Bodine is reunited with his winning combination of last year when he drove the #30 Germain / Arnold Racing Toyota Tundra for a total of eight Craftsman Truck Series races and in impressive fashion went on to post two victories (California and Texas) and five top 10 finishes. “I welcome this opportunity to rejoin the Germain / Arnold organization,” said Todd. “We had great results last year in the races we won and there just seemed to be a special working partnership there with me and Mike Sr. (Hillman) that is so hard to find in this sport. We all wanted the chance to see if we can regain that momentum we had last year and produce some wins for the team and Toyota again this season. I guess the timing of everything just worked out for everyone and here we are back in familiar surroundings – I am excited and looking for some great results.”(PR)
UPDATE 4: Germain/Arnold Racing announced an association with the Allman Brothers Band. The Grammy Award winning and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Allman Brothers Band will be featured prominently on the hood of the #30 Germain/Arnold Racing Toyota Tundra at two events on the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule. The Allman Brothers will be featured on the #30 Toyota Tundra driven by Todd Bodine at the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 (June 24) and Kentucky Speedway (July 9) events. These events precede upcoming Allman Brothers Band concerts at the Milwaukee Summer Fest (July 5) and the Germain Amphitheatre in Columbus, Ohio (July 13). “Racing has always been a part of rock & roll,” said Gregg Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. “Growing up in Daytona Beach I have NASCAR in my bones. We will be rooting for Germain/Arnold Racing’s No.30 Toyota Tundra to bring our name into racing’s winners circle.” There will be a driver autograph session with drivers of the Germain/Arnold Racing Toyota Tundra’s at the Milwaukee Summerfest Display Booth in the Midway of the Toyota Tundra 200 event at the Milwaukee Mile. The autograph session will take place from 2:45-3:45 pm on June 24 with special discount coupons being given away to the following Allman Brothers Band Concert: Coupons for $5 off each Allman Brothers Band ticket purchased may be redeemed only at the Marcus Amphitheater Box Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Limit 4 tickets per coupon. Summerfest admission included. Convenience fees applicable, the coupon is NOT redeemable July 5, 2005. Enter promotion code RACING when ordering via ticketmaster.com. For more details on Summerfest visit www.summerfest.com.(Integrity Sports Marketing/Germain/Arnold Racing)(6-22-2005)
