Former NASCAR Driver Geoff Bodine on the Headset as a Coach at Talladega Superspeedway

In his career as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Geoff Bodine took the checkered flag 18 times. Bodine was at Talladega Superspeedway Wednesday, but not behind the wheel.

He was serving as a “coach” to ARCA driver Bo LeMastus, who is slated to compete in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards event at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday, May 1, Bodine was full of advice for LeMastus, a veteran of AMA motocross and motorcycle road racing.

Bodine said,

Talladega Superspeedway is all about drafting. It is so critical to know how to use it and when to use it – when to put the pedal to the metal and when to hold back. This place is so different than any other with the start-finish line close to turn one.

Bodine, the 1986 Daytona 500 winner, never tasted victory at the 2.66-mile Talladega layout, but did have a runner-up and third-place effort in the two 1988 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He also recorded his second career pole position at Talladega as a rookie in 1982

Concerning Bodine being his race-day spotter, LeMastus said,

He knows so much about motorsports, especially drafting. He is an incredible coach and we talk a lot. I don’t have a lot of experience on the big tracks so his input is invaluable. I am continuing to learn thanks to him.

LeMastus, a Louisville, KY native, who was the fastest of five teams which were taking advantage of an open ARCA test at the biggest and baddest race track on the planet Wednesday. His Dodge was clocked at just under 183 mph.

The International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 kicks off an eventful Weekend at Talladega on Friday, May 1st. The day will consist of practice, qualifying and the green flag for the IMHOF 200 at 5 pm.