Bodle podiums for the first time in 2014 at NJMP

June 5, 2014

 The Caribbean Food Delights Mustang race team has spent the entire season to date digging out of a hole created by an early DNF(did not finish) in the season opening race at Sebring. It has been a steady climb for the #16 Mustang with improvement in each of the next four races. In Round 5 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Rob Bodle took a spot on the podium for the first time in 2014.

There was no shortage of excitement. "It was a wild weekend from start to finish," Bodle said. "We were excited to upgrade a long time sponsor, SPEC Clutches and Flywheels, to a bigger role on our team, then StangTV.com posted the first installment of my new racer blog, then we brought a driver coach, Chris Rallo, in for the first time to help me learn the new track at NJMP and show me how to use our data better—all the new stuff made it like Christmas."

For the first time this season they had decent Hoosier S100 tires to run on in practice.

"Between the tires letting us get some viable practice and having a coach helping us learn the track secrets, we picked things up pretty strong from practice to qualifying," Bodle said. “In fact we jumped up several seconds from final practice to qualifying and narrowly missed qualifying second for the first time.”

Qualifying also created another kind of excitement. The kind fans love and drivers not as much—
a big spin.

"Yea, that was sure spectacular,” said Bodle, with a grin. “I didn't hit anything or damage anything in the spin. So, its just a wild memory now and a cool video clip for youtube. I was going for it in qualifying and what came of that mistake was a full three-revolution spin. Amy Ruman was at tech at the time and watched it. The smile on her face when she asked about it was pretty big. So, I guess it was cool looking. I had not had even had an off all season up until this event—I can't say that anymore."

The race developed into a familiar one, with class champion Chuck Cassaro running second and Bodle chasing him lap after lap.

"I think we raced for 30 laps or something,” said Bodle. “Credit where its due. I could catch him, but couldn't pass him. I certainly would have preferred to finish ahead of him, but you don't always get what you want and to be honest, it was about the most fun I've had on a racetrack in a long time.

"We will take the 3rd place and hope to continue to grow. Road America is next and all of the fastest competitors in TA3 American Muscle class from this season will be in the lineup for that race. It will be a great chance to measure our progress."

Trans Am Series races at Road America June 21.

Rob Bodle is sponsored by
Caribbean Food Delights and their brand Sabrina's Delights.
http://www.caribbeanfooddelights.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Sabrinasdelights
Also by
http://specclutch.com/
http://holmanmoody.com/

see Rob Bodle online on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/rbi16
Instagram
http://instagram.com/rbi16