THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 13, 1994 TAG: 9408130148
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: AUTO RACING NOTES
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
The feuding Bodine brothers met with NASCAR officials Friday morning and said they have buried the hatchet, at least on the track.
``It's a buried issue. History is history,'' Brett said. ``We had a meeting in the NASCAR trailer this morning. We discussed the on-track situation and future on-track situations.''
``No problem,'' Geoff said. He declined to discuss what happened in the trailer, calling it a ``private meeting.'' But he added: ``We're at the race track. This is NASCAR territory. There is no problem between us here in NASCAR land.''
But outside NASCAR land, there appeared to be no change in the unfriendly relations between the two.
The family feud was revealed by Geoff after Brett spun him out in turn four of lap 100 during the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis last Saturday. That incident occurred after Geoff had bumped Brett in turn three and then passed him to take the lead. After the wreck, Geoff said he and Brett hadn't spoken in months.
``That's off-track stuff,'' Brett said Friday. ``We're not going to talk about off-track stuff. It should never have been thrown on the table for you all to digest.''
As for the on-track incident, Brett said: ``If somebody runs into the back of you and gets you sideways and out of shape and is able to take advantage of it, they can darn well expect to get booted back. I don't know it any other way in racing. Sure, I didn't appreciated getting bumped. But I didn't expect to spin him out. I made a mistake. It was never my intention for that to happen.''
Brett said his relationship with his older brother is no different than it was last week, ``but maybe we'll get a chance to work on that.''
ANDRETTI'S JOB HUNT: John Andretti, who lost his job as the driver of Billy Hagan's No. 14 Chevrolet Lumina following the Brickyard 400, was prowling through the garage here Friday, looking for a new ride.
Andretti left the team after the Brickyard 400 when the sponsorless Hagan decided to drop out of the Winston Cup series, at least on a full-time basis, after running out of money.
``I've got to make a decision, but I don't know what I'm going to do yet,'' Andretti said. ``I'm available.''
Andretti said he has a couple of options but would prefer a ride that will continue into next season, ``to get a little continuity.''
One of Andretti's options apparently is Richard Petty's Pontiac, since Petty and Wally Dallenbach probably will go their separate ways after Sunday's race.
``I talked to (Andretti),'' Petty said. ``But we're still waiting to see what happens here in this race. It's a big decision. And you're sort of like between a rock and a hard place. You hate to make a commitment right now, but you might want to get someone right away to try some things out for 1995.''
JUNIOR ON THE LOOKOUT: Junior Johnson confirmed that he is looking for new sponsors for 1995.
Although there have not yet been any formal announcements, reports that both Budweiser and McDonald's are leaving Johnson are now well past the rumor stage. Budweiser reportedly will sponsor Ken Schrader next year, while McDonald's will join Bill Elliott with his new team.
``I really don't know what I'm going to do (for sponsors),'' Johnson said. He also said he doesn't know whether he'll have one or two cars next year. But he confirmed that Jimmy Spencer, who has a two-year contract, will be back.
As for speculation that the Lowe's home-supply chain, based in North Wilkesboro, N.C., will sponsor one of his cars, Johnson said: ``I really don't know anything about that. I've heard that story, but I haven't talked to them.''
SPEED LEAVING MOORE? There were reports Friday that Lake Speed has told car owner Bud Moore he won't be back next year to drive the No. 15 Ford Thunderbird. ``I have no comment at the moment,'' Speed said. ``They're going to say something tomorrow.''
DICK BROOKS, CAR OWNER: Sabco Racing and car owner Felix Sabates will have a press conference here today, reportedly to announce that car dealer, pit announcer and former stock-car racer Dick Brooks has bought 49 percent of the No. 40 Pontiac Grand Prix team (with driver Bobby Hamilton) and will have an active role in running the team. Reports that Brooks will buy the rest of the team next year could not immediately be confirmed but were disputed by a source close to the team. by CNB