Geoff Bodine came up two laps short of potentially winning the inaugural Free State 500 stock car race at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in South Africa on Sunday. Bodine, who started on the pole, was leading when his Chevy ran out of fuel with two laps remaining. Bodine, who led the most laps at 89, was credited with ninth in the American Speed Association-sanctioned event. Bodine’s good run has given the 60-year-old more incentive to want to return to racing. “I wish I could get the opportunity to do some more (NASCAR) racing,” Bodine said. Bodine had hoped to get a ride for Saturday’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway, but nothing materialized. He did hook up with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner Danny Gill in South Africa and Gill may put Bodine in one of his trucks for the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 6. Bodine said he also is working on a deal to run in NASCAR’S All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, and working on a Sprint Cup deal for the second race at the Atlanta track on Sept. 5.(Elmira Star Gazette)(2-4-2010)
