There’s No Disguising the Fact That It’s Like Father, Like Son

When 16-year-old Geoff Bodine told his father he wanted to become a race driver, Eli Bodine said absolutely no.

But Geoff always has been a bit headstrong, perhaps the reason that he’s one of the best in NASCAR’s Winston Cup series. When his father held a Powder Puff Derby on the one-third-mile oval, Geoff put on a wig, borrowed a 1956 Chevrolet from a friend, and began his driving career.

Now Geoff’s 16-year-old son, Barry, wants to start racing.

“He’ll get his chance,” said Geoff. “But I hope he doesn’t have to put on a wig to ride in a Powder Puff Derby.”

Trivia time: What “other” USC athlete in 1968 wore No. 32 and helped his team win an NCAA title?

Doubles act: Luke and Murphy Jensen, the sometimes goofy brothers of tennis, wear black socks, shades and have been known to ride motorcycles onto the court for their matches. According to New York Magazine, they busted their rackets (like rock musicians who smash their guitars) in a recent appearance on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien.”

Luke also broke his right thumb in the process. It didn’t matter, though. Luke is ambidextrous.

Not Kevin McHale, either: Philadelphia 76er Coach John Lucas has written a book “Winning a Day at a Time,” in which he recounts the 1977 incident when Houston Rocket teammate Rudy Tomjanovich was punched in the face by “Kevin Washington” in a game against the Lakers.

It was Kermit Washington.

Lucas needs a backup center and a better memory.

Ainge you glad: Danny Ainge, 35, told Jackie MacMullan of the Boston Globe he has no problem with the Phoenix Suns being picked to win the NBA Championship.

Said Ainge: “We’d better win it all because we’re running out of chances.”

Viva Vitas: Tennis doyen Bud Collins remembered when the late Vitas Gerulaitis played a match in Pittsburgh and announced on the public-address system that it was his birthday. He invited everyone to be guests at his party at the hotel and gave his room number.

“Fifteen-hundred celebrants showed up and the fete lasted two days,” Collins said.

Ball five: David Halberstam, author of “October 1964,” is a baseball fan, but that doesn’t mean he can’t sound a warning.

“I think it’s a great mistake to believe that something lasts forever,” he said. “The game is more in jeopardy than it realizes.”

And four minutes on the Brewers: Ken Burns, the creator of the 18 1/2-hour baseball documentary criticized by some for its length, said he had to leave a lot of material out.

“We could have done 18 hours on the Dodgers and Red Sox alone,” he said.

The Red Sox?

Trivia answer: Left-handed pitcher Bill Lee.

Quotebook: From boxer Pepe Correa, defending Riddick Bowe after Bowe hit Buster Mathis Jr. when Mathis was on one knee: “If you don’t want to get hit no more, roll over on your damn back.”