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Sunday, March 4 Don't overlook Bodine Associated Press LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Todd Bodine doesn't think he needs to prove anything at this point. Just don't overlook what he's doing.
Third-place finisher Sterling Marlin moved into the Winston Cup championship lead after the third of 36 races, leading race winner Jeff Gordon by 35 points. That brought a big smile to the face of Bob Wildberger, senior manager for operations for Dodge Motorsports, which came back to NASCAR's top series this season after a 16-year absence. "We won the pole at Daytona and had a Dodge front row," Wildberger said. "Then we ended up winning a Twin 125 (qualifying race) and finishing with top 10s and a top five (in Daytona). Today, not only did we end up with a third, which is our best finish yet, in just our third race, but this is fantastic news to have a Dodge driver leading the points for the first time in probably a quarter of a century." Big bucks Jeff Gordon's victory Sunday was worth an extra $1 million to him and another $1 million to 21-year-old Rodney Mims of Clanton, Ala. Gordon was one of five eligible drivers in the latest round of the No Bull 5 promotion by series sponsor Winston. At five selected races during the season, the top five finishers become eligible for the bonus at the next No Bull 5 race. In this case, the other drivers racing for the money were Joe Nemechek, Terry Labonte, Kenny Wallace and Mike Skinner, who replaced the late Dale Earnhardt, his Richard Childress Racing teammate. Each of the drivers is paired with a fan in a random drawing. It is the fourth time that Gordon has won the bonus. He is now eligible, along with Dale Jarrett, Sterling Marlin, Johnny Benson and Todd Bodine for the next payoff in May at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C. Mims said he plans to use the money to start his own business. Fly by The prerace show included a U.S. Air Force fly by. As four F-16s roared over the speedway, one of the jets soared away from the group in the famed "Missing Man Formation," a tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt. A USAF spokesman said it was the first time that formation has been done in honor of a non-military person. The same fly by was scheduled a week earlier in Rockingham, N.C., but a low ceiling forced cancellation of the event. Beamer visits Frank Beamer knows what it's like to compete at the highest level. As coach of the Virginia Tech football team, Beamer guided the Hokies into the national championship game against Florida State in the 2000 Sugar Bowl. When it comes to winning NASCAR Winston Cup championships, Jeff Gordon is the active leader with three. Beamer was in Gordon's pit area Sunday to watch the driver win his 53rd career Winston Cup race in the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Virginia Tech coach is friends with Brian Whitesell, team manager at Hendrick Motorsports and a graduate of the college located in Blacksburg, Virginia. "Brian is a Virginia Tech guy and we've gotten together with the team quite a bit. And the track public relations director, Jeff Motley, is from Virginia Tech, so they set us up here at the race," Beamer said. "I get to as many NASCAR races as I can. I went to Bristol last year, and anytime I can make it to the race, I go." Beamer sees similarities between auto racing and college football and the keys to success are similar. "I think experience means a lot in both," he said. "I have a good experienced coaching staff and that helps. I really admire the performer, the talent that it takes to get that car around the track. I think (Gordon's team) has a good organization and they win, and we have a good organization and wins. "Today, the guy wins $1 million for a fan. It's a great fan sport and a group that hasn't forgotten the fans, either. NASCAR does a great job staying with their roots and keeping them in that direction." Beamer has a better chance of seeing NASCAR races in his offseason than Gordon does of watching a college football game because of the length of the Winston Cup schedule. The college coach also is impressed with the passion that NASCAR fans show for their drivers. "People care for the drivers and the teams and college football fans care for our program at Virginia Tech," said Beamer, who starts spring football on March 25. He hopes to attend a few more NASCAR races before focusing on the upcoming NCAA season. Gordon is impressed with Beamer's NASCAR knowledge and can learn a few more things about becoming a winner from someone in another sport. "Brian Whitesell is a big Tech fan and because of Brian going there, it's got my eye on them a little bit, too," Gordon said. "A lot of what they do and a lot of what we do is very similar. It's a lot of team aspect and strategy that goes into it, motivation among the teams. I think there is a great appreciation among those two." Spark plugs This was the eighth consecutive race to produce a different winner, dating to Talladega last October. ... Kevin Harvick, who finished eighth, was the highest finishing rookie for the second straight week. ... Chevrolets have swept the first three races this season, but all four manufacturers (including Ford, Pontiac and Dodge) were represented in the top four Sunday. ESPN.com news services contributed to this article  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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