Driver Profile

It may be easy for some fans to overlook Brett Bodine. Still, arguably, no one in the sport works harder.

Bodine, who has an associate's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New York at Alfred, started his racing career at his hometown Chemung Speedrome in 1977.

From there, Bodine moved up to NASCAR Modifieds and the Busch Series, where he was runner-up to Larry Pearson for the championship in 1986. Bodine stepped in as a relief driver for Terry Labonte in Junior Johnson' s Budweiser Chevrolet in 1987 (Martinsville and North Wilkesboro).

He made his Winston Cup debut in the 1986 Coca-Cola 600 in a Rick Hendrick-owned car. He finished 17th. His first victory came at North Wilkesboro in 1990 in his 80th start while driving for Kenny Bernstein. Nineteen races later, he won the first of five Bud Pole Awards in the 1990 Mello Yello 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. That season was his best in the series, as he finished 12th.

Securing steady sponsorship is a never-ending battle for all NASCAR Winston Cup team owners. But in the case of Bodine -- Winston Cup's only full-time owner/driver -- it is absolutely critical.

The battle for sponsorship has affected the battle for victories for Bodine in recent years. He and crew chief Mike Hillman have just two top-10 finishes in the past two seasons, none of which came in 2002. Bodine pocketed nearly $3.5 million during that period despite failing to qualify for four races in 2002.