Bodines' Travelogue

Charlotte race weeks, part II, the events that are right smack in the middle of the Chase and the buildup to the end-of-month Halloween holiday -- are the perfect wind-down of the four-week hiatus in the Camping World Truck Series schedule, and then the re-build-up to next weekend's resumption of racing at Martinsville Speedway.

And so it was for Todd and Janet Bodine as they wrapped up a pleasant visit to Janet's hometown area of Pennsylvania -- filled with plenty of mom's home-cooking, doctor's visits and family get-togethers.

Todd Bodine got checked out by his old buddy, Dr. Tanner, while he was in Pennsylvania.

So "travel" in week nine of the Bodines' Travelogue meant returning to the greater Charlotte area to welcome some friends into their home, do the final tune-ups on the motor coach for the short jaunt to Martinsville and preparing for the infamous Hornaday Halloween party that's scheduled for this Saturday.

Home is where the hearth is

TODD BODINE: One of the best parts of getting up to Pennsylvania was getting in an eye exam with my eye doctor, Dr. Jay Tanner.

JANET BODINE: He says Todd's got the perfect vision to judge it close.

TODD BODINE: And while we were there we ended up going to the big harness event at Pocono Downs.

JANET BODINE: You knew we weren't gonna miss that chance, and in the end, with Notre Dame on TV, you couldn't go wrong. Of course, I was the big money winner again, but everyone at Pocono Downs -- Bobbie Soper, Dale Rapson and all their staff at Mohegan Sun -- did an outstanding job with that first-time event.

TODD BODINE: It was pretty cool to see a different aspect of a sport -- a pretty big-time deal -- and what one of their biggest races of the year is all about.

JANET BODINE: From my perspective, it was great to see Todd interact with all the people that thanked him for coming back and continuing to support the area.

TODD BODINE: It's always a good time, and the people being so appreciative make it that much easier and that much nicer to do.

JANET BODINE: But as usual it was nice to get back home to North Carolina, with the big race week in front of us.

TODD BODINE: This is a neat week, and weekend, for us because we're not racing, so we have a chance to hang out, but also to have some people over. They started arriving earlier this week.

JANET BODINE: They come from a few different directions. Michael Annett's coach driver, who we've done some traveling with together on the road when the Truck Series and Nationwide are at the same places, is here, and he's from Des Moines, Iowa.

TODD BODINE: It's 'Inn at the Bodines'.'

JANET BODINE: The guys have their coaches at the track, like they usually do. But the coach drivers always need some place to stay, so this is a nice break from being in a hotel.

TODD BODINE: We're looking forward to having Brendan Gaughan in the neighborhood, so we can hang out with him some.

JANET BODINE: And to catch up on Brendan's wife Tatum and how she's doing as the countdown continues to having their baby. (Continued)