Driving cars owned by Dick Armstrong with Billy Taylor and Ralph Hop Harrington as crew chief, Bodine started 84 feature events and won 55 of them. Two years later, he bagged his first win during the 1984 Sovran Bank 500 at the Martinsville Speedway. First published on July 7, 2015 / 6:04 PM. They scrambled for cover as debris and flames shot into the crowd, and a black cloud of smoke hung over the track as blinded drivers crashed into the crumpled shell of Bodine's truck again and again. Geoffrey Eli Bodine (born April 18, 1949) is a retired American motorsport driver and bobsled builder. He notably suffered fractures in his cheek and back. "I thought Bodine was dead," Wilson said. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Ironically, after Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon was killed in an airborne crash in 2011, Wilson became one of three drivers to serve as a liaison between competitors and IndyCar. Bodine Stable After Crash - CBS News After being struck in the head by airborne debris, Wilson's car veered to the left and collided with an interior wall. Thats racing. However, Bodine, 50, was admitted to the . The contact between Morgan's front right tire and Bodine's front left tire caused the front of Bodine's truck to vault upwards over the outside retaining wall, sending his truck into the catch fencing nose first, at a speed of nearly 190mph (310km/h). Dale Jr. Download: Richard Childress fighting advice: Always take off your watch, https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2019/04/09/dale-jr-download-richard-childress-fighting-advice-always-take-off-your-watch/, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "NASCAR legend Geoff Bodine speeds through life", "That's History Profile: Geoffrey Bodine", "50 Greatest Modified Drivers Geoff Bodine", "How Geoffrey Bodine's 1984 NASCAR Win Kept Team Owner Rick Hendrick in the Game", "Throwback Thursday Theater: Hometown Heroes and Superhuman Feats at The Glen", "Bodine, fans escape serious injury in fiery crash", "NASCAR's Bodine slingshots into world of business", "Switching Pit Stops For Push Starts: How NASCAR Struck Bobsled Gold", "Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project Speeds American Winter Olympic Effort In Sochi", "Geoffrey Bodine 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1982 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1983 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1984 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1985 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1986 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1987 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1988 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1989 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1990 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1999 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2002 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1995 NASCAR SuperTruck Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 1996 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results", "Geoffrey Bodine 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results", https://theracingexperts.com/geoffs-journal-my-relationship-with-earnhardt-php, https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2019/04/09/dale-jr-download-richard-childress-fighting-advice-always-take-off-your-watch/, NASCAR.com article announcing the Modified all-time Top 10, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Geoff_Bodine&oldid=1152324980, This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 15:08. The elder Bodine and his brothers Brett and Todd, along with older sister Denise, all helped out at the race track at one point in their lives. Other career highlights include the 1987 International Race of Champions championship, the 1992 Busch Clash, the 1994 Winston Select (despite a first segment spinout), and the 1994 Busch Pole Award (now Budweiser Pole Award). The report quickly spread across social media, and many fans began to mourn the loss of the beloved driver. 'It's amazing I'm still here': Retired driver recalls crash 20 years Robert Laberge/Getty Images. Wilson said a tire and suspension pieces from Bodine's truck hit the right side of his windshield. [7] Bodine's biggest win came at the 1986 Daytona 500, NASCAR's premier event. There's definitely some luck involved in that he survived this one. Free shipping for many products! The crash on lap 57 involved 13 trucks and injured nine fans and two drivers. Back in 1989, NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine had a scary accident. The biggest victory of Mike Wallace's career probably won't be remembered as much more than a footnote to a frightening, fiery crash. Since then, he enjoyed three wins each at Pocono, North Wilkesboro, and at Martinsville. He was 37. The incident was a reminder of the dangers of motorsport, and NASCAR took steps to improve safety in the aftermath of the crash. He won by hanging back and thus, not getting caught up in the series of multi-car crashes occurring in the middle of the pack. "That's 3,400 pounds, folks, just lifted up in the air like a feather!" Here, crew members and emergency personnel pull his body from the wreckage. On October 13, 2002, Kevin Harvick and his #29 Goodwrench Chevy were involved in a multi-car crash during the NASCAR Winston Cup UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Later at the hospital, acclaimed sports car racer Justin Wilson fell into a coma and ultimately succumbed to his injuries on August 25, 2015. I was terrified. The Associated Press contributed to this report. I heard noise, I never opened my eyes. Rescue crews needed about 10 minutes to load Bodine into an ambulance to be sent directly to Halifax. By the time the rivalry had begun, both drivers were at the prime of their careers, which partly contributed to the heated incidents with each other. Though his car was severely damaged, Newman appeared for the most part unfazed by the crash, focusing on the future in his statements to media. When he came to a stop, about the only thing left of his truck was the roll cage that saved his life. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Bodine later appealed and the penalty was revoked. Many who saw the crash thought Bodine was. Roll cage is broken in areas, hands flying outside what is left of the truck. Tennis, NFL, and eSports. There were a series-record 32 lead changes in the most exciting race of Speedweeks. He had such an itch to race that he disguised himself as a lady and entered an event known as the Powder Puff Derby when he was 15. "It's a shame that wreck happened, because if you people didn't enjoy that, I don't know what turns you on," Wallace said Friday after winning the inaugural Daytona 250 Craftsman Truck Series race. A chain reaction caused the crash after three cars collided in the tri-oval portion of the race track. Yes, Dale (Earnhardt) and I had a pretty good rivalry going on at one time and eventually it got us called down to Daytona Beach to meet with Bill (France) Jr., Bodine said. Although Bodine says he was once too shy to even raise his hand as a boy in school to ask to go to the bathroom, he never backs away from getting a chance to tell his story of faith and hope from his experiences. Participants have included Todd Bodine (one of Bodine's brothers) and Tony Stewart. Nine spectators were also injured in the crash. He holds the track record at Atlanta Motor Speedway from his polesitting run after the track was repaved in 1997, with a speed of over 197mph. Bodines truck was thrust into the catch fence. [6] Bodine's final win in NASCAR's highest division came in the "Bud At The Glen" in August 1996 when fortuitous pit stop timing led to him taking the lead in his QVC Thunderbird while the other drivers pitted. Newer and younger NASCAR fans might not remember Geoff Bodine. The U.S. National Team first used their sleds in 1994. However, when both drivers joined the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, their relationship changed, and they grew distant from each other. How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory, How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 He has won many of the big races in Modifieds including the Lancaster 200 (1978, 1981), Race of Champions (1972 Trenton), the Stafford 200 (1978), the Trenton Dogleg 200 (1979), the Thompson 300, the Spring Sizzler (1980 Stafford Speedway), Oswego Classic (1981), Cardinal Classic (1975 Martinsville Speedway), Oxford 250 (1980, 1981), and other modified events. However, Bodine survived the crash and eventually returned to the track, a testament to his resilience and the efforts of medical professionals who treated him. How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style, Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season, Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season Geoff Bodine NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Crash | NASCAR UPDATE: Brother told investigators child got in trouble for messing with fish tank. He is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers (with Brett Bodine and Todd Bodine ), and sister Denise. He was awake and alert and undergoing tests Friday night. "I saw a ball of fire," he said. Red Bull F1 drivers free to race and battle will "ebb and flow" Horner, The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team, The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team 15 Ford F-150 for Billy Ballew. In the heat of the moment, Brett Bodine gave little consideration to crashing older brother Geoff out of the lead in one of the most anticipated races in NASCAR history. The other spectator kept overnight suffered a facial laceration with a possible sinus fracture and also had surgery. Then, the #5 car proceeded to bury itself nose-first into the barrier. On July 6, 2013, NASCAR drivers AJ Allmendinger and Denny Hamlin collided during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Dhruv George is a senior Motorsports author for EssentiallySports, having 1995 Collector's Choice Update You Crash the Game Playoffs NFC west (#275751072553) g***a (485) - Feedback left by buyer g***a (485). By 1972, he was winning some of the most prestigious events in the sport. He also helps LaMastus sell his line of products, including Jukeboxes. The contact ignited another fireball and sent Bodine's truck flipping three times before it came to rest. Retired racer describes seeing Ryan Newman crash. Looking back on it, I wished I would have now.. 2000 Daytona 250 - Wikipedia Now, I stay busier than ever helping out an ARCA team as a driving coach and also help keep up a Late Model stock car that my friend drives at New Smyrna Speedway on the weekend, Bodine said.