Don Barker shut the doors of the #50 Modified operation at the end of the 2005 season. Most of the team’s assets were sold off. The two newest cars that Don had were acquired by Mike Smeriglio Racing. Barker had one racecar that no one seemed to want.

Don commented, “We still had our oldest car. There was nothing wrong with it. It just had a little sheet metal damage.” The team had referred to that car as their “Riverhead” car because they used it for all of the races at the shorter Whelen Modified Tour venues.

This car in fact is the original racecar that Don and Bob Cuneo of Chassis Dynamics debuted as the #50. The original Mustang that was featured in a magazine spread found no takers. Barker and Cuneo re-skinned this car, applied a gorgeous coat of red paint and plan to have NEXTEL Cup star Carl Edwards drive it at the NASCAR New England 100 on Saturday, July 15th.

“We wanted to put something together to help raise awareness and funds for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project,” said Barker. “I have what some might feel is a lofty goal of raising $100,000. I think we can do it.” The Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project is a non-profit organization that provides American built and designed bobsleds for our U.S. athletes for Olympic and other International competition free of charge. Cuneo builds the Bo-Dyn bobsleds for the U.S. teams.

Carl Edwards actually planned on testing the #50 at Loudon. In an ironic twist, Carl was asked by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to participate in a physical fitness test Monday. Apparently, the USOC is gathering athletes of many different sports and disciplines to participate in tests that measure their strength, endurance, reflexes, mental and visual acuity among other things. Edwards was chosen to represent auto-racing drivers in this test.

Because Carl would not be available, Todd Bodine was recruited to drive Barker’s Modified at the Open Test session today. The Bodine family has a long association with Bob Cuneo and Chassis Dynamics. Todd most recently raced a Modified at the Magic Mile in last September’s New Hampshire 100 driving Zach Sylvester’s back-up car.

Todd’s brother Geoff spearheaded the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project from the beginning. There are efforts to raise additional funds for the project underway that will come to light at the New England 100 and as the New Hampshire 100 approaches. Todd Bodine will drive the #50 in the September race.

I only have one stopwatch and weather limited the amount of track time available. But Todd Bodine drove the fastest of those that I timed on Monday, in that racecar that seemingly no one wanted. With the first Loudon race of the year less than twenty days away, it certainly appears that Don Barker is bringing a car that is ready for Carl Edwards to drive to victory lane. Tune in then.

Thirteen Whelen Modified Tour teams showed up for the NHIS Open Test session. Among those were seven rookies including Danny Sammons, Glenn Tyler, Anthony Sesely, James Civali, Kenny Horton, Matt Hirschman and Jon McKennedy. Veterans that appeared for the test session were Rob Summers, Todd Szegedy, Zach Sylvester, Donny Lia, Nevin George and Todd Bodine. In the wake of John Andretti campaigning as a rookie in the Busch Series, I guess that Bodine is technically a rookie as well.

Most took advantage of the short time that the weather allowed for practice. The NHIS Staff spoiled all of us. The Checkered Flag Restaurant was open and once again, no one, not a driver, nor a crewmember, nor even the media vermin were charged a penny for breakfast, lunch or whatever else suited their fancy.

Despite the fact that the Bahres paid to have a full staff including medical, emergency and operational people on hand for the day, fed us all like kings and had to use the jet dryers on the track for several hours, they showed the kind of class people they are. Bob and Gary Bahre refunded each of team’s five hundred dollar payment to practice for the day. On behalf of the teams, we thank you Bob & Gary.

The Jack Ratta Media Center has a whole new look. A lot of thought went into the reconfiguration of the floor space. High-speed Ethernet connections and electrical outlets are now available at each seat in the Inner Room.

The room that was formerly dedicated for PR people has been expanded and dedicated to the photographers. The public relations folks will find their brand new room at the other end of the building. New radio and television booths have been built along with separate rooms for the major imaging players.

Every room has been re-wired for power and high-speed Internet through a new raceway style expandable channel. Our compliments to Fred Neergaard and his staff for completing the expansion and renovation of the JRMC so smoothly. The entire interior structure of the media center had to be removed and replaced after it was flooded last fall. All of the fans and competitors of racing at the Loudon, NH facility will benefit from this in ways they will probably never realize.

We hope to see as many folks take advantage of the opportunity to see the Whelen Modified Tour at the Magic Mile July 15th. It is the first time the Modifieds have been scheduled to race on a Saturday there for several years. Tickets are available at www.nhis.com or by calling Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931. Busch Series qualifying and their 200-lap race will be on tap that day as well. I’ll see you there!