Bodine gets sponsor for Sunday

LAS VEGAS -- Checker Auto Parts has agreed to sponsor the No. 66 of Todd Bodine for Sunday.

“I read about Todd being on the pole yesterday and thought it was a shame that a team in that position didn’t have a sponsor,” said Maynard Jenkins, chairman and CEO of Checker Auto Parts, who will sponsor Bodine. “I called our marketing people and asked them to get in touch with Travis (Carter, team owner) to see if there was an opportunity to help.

“I hope this helps the team secure a primary sponsor for the balance of the season. This allows us to not only continue supporting motorsports, but also possibly develop a relationship with Haas Carter Motorsports beyond this event.”

The race teams came to Las Vegas and were gambling before they even crossed the state line. Kmart had been the primary sponsor of both the Bodine ride and his teammate Joe Nemechek and the No. 26 Ford.

However, the sponsor filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in January and couldn’t fulfill its end of the sponsorship agreement after the second race of the season. Carter doesn’t know if this will turn into a full-time deal with the auto parts company, but says the one-race deal still helps.

“We knew that having a car on the race track was what we needed to do to attract potential sponsors,” Carter said. “Todd’s pole didn’t hurt either.

“We’re still working on other sponsor opportunities for these cars for the rest of the year. But, I want to thank Mr. Jenkins and Checker Auto Parts for coming to our rescue here.

“When you’re in a situation like this, it’s important any time you can offset expenses.”

After qualifying on Friday, Bodine said he didn’t know if the teams would be able to race the following week at Atlanta.