Ford, Baldwin Fined; Bodine Placed on Probation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR officials announced today that Todd Bodine, driver of the No. 26 Ford in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, has been placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Bodine was penalized under Section 12-4-A in the NASCAR Winston Cup rule book ("Actions detrimental to stock car racing: careless driving"). If, during the remaining NASCAR events in 2002, there is another action by Bodine that is deemed by NASCAR officials as detrimental to the event or is disruptive to the orderly conduct of an event, he will receive an indefinite suspension from NASCAR.

"We've noticed numerous on-track incidents involving Todd and we felt this was the proper step to take at this time," said John Darby, NASCAR Winston Cup Series Director.

On Sunday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Bodine was involved in a multi-car accident on Lap 231.

NASCAR also issued a fine to Mike Ford, crew chief of the No. 9 Dodge because team member Phil Gould went onto pit road during the race without a helmet. Ford was fined $2,000 and penalized under Section 9-4-A ("The crew chief assumes the responsibility for the actions of his team members.") and Section 12-17-A3 ("Crew member entered the car servicing area without a helmet").

NASCAR Busch Series crew chief Tommy Baldwin was fined $25,000 for a rules violation found following Saturday's race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Baldwin, crew chief of the No. 6 Dodge driven by Wally Dallenbach, was penalized under Section 12-4-T ("Any car that is found to be under the specified height requirement after the... race"). The No. 6 car was approximately a quarter inch too low.