Bodine Fined $15,000 by NASCAR

Geoff Bodine has been fined $15,000 and placed on probation for the rest of the year for rough driving during Saturday’s Winn-Dixie 300 Busch Grand National race, NASCAR officials announced Tuesday.

Three days before the race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bodine was fined $1,000 and required to post $4,000 bond for unsportsmanlike conduct in The Winston on May 17 at Charlotte.

After reviewing videotapes of Saturday’s race, NASCAR officials ruled that Bodine made unnecessary contact with Dale Earnhardt, resulting in damage to cars driven by Larry Pearson and Darrell Waltrip.

NASCAR officials had met with Bodine and other drivers after The Winston. Bodine and three others were warned about their driving tactics.

“Regretably, Geoff Bodine apparently didn’t take these discussions seriously,” said Les Richter, NASCAR vice president for competition. “Hopefully, this action will have the desirable results. . . . If this action doesn’t show results, then stronger measures will be taken.”