TEAM MARINES RACING BRISTOL PREVIEW:
DID YOU KNOW?:
Hamilton, Jr.'s dog Coco, was recently named by USA Today as "Best Dressed"
in an article about America's athletes and their pets. In other news, Coco
made her second appearance in Victory Lane last weekend when Bobby Hamilton,
Sr. won the Craftsman 200 at Darlington Raceway.
NOTES & QUOTES:
A 12th place finish at Darlington last week, moved Bobby Hamilton, Jr. and
Team Rensi Motorsports back into the top-10 in the NASCAR Busch Series
points standings. Now they head to "Thunder Valley," where tempers flare
and rivalries are often made. Driving his lucky charm, "Pac Man," Hamilton,
Jr. hopes to conquer one of the most famed short tracks in motorsports.
Bobby Hamilton, Jr. on Bristol:
"Bristol is always a really wild and exciting race, for both the drivers and
the fans," said Hamilton, Jr. "It is completely unpredictable. You just
never know what might happen there. Not one single lap is boring. As a
driver, it's both physically and mentally draining but you don't notice it
until the race is over. A soon as the adrenaline wears off you realize how
worn out you are.
This is a place where you have to be aggressive and you have to be aware of
what is going on around you at all times. It's a pretty small place to put
43 cars all going 125 mph. Someone will be in your way each lap and it can
get extremely frustrating. It's a place that brings out tempers and often
sparks a rivalry that could last throughout the season. You really have to
keep your temper in check and try to have some patience. That's a lot easier
said than done at Bristol."
Fred Wanke on Bristol:
"Bristol is one of my favorite race tracks," said Wanke. "Never a dull
moment! Bristol is not about tires. It's not about fuel strategy. It's not
about perfect aerodynamics. What is key at Bristol is a good handling race
car. You have to able to stay down on the bottom of the track all day long.
If you can't, you're going to run into trouble. At Bristol track position
is EVERYTHING. Qualifying up front is crucial. Of course people have come
from the back to win, but it's a lot easier and your chances of winning much
higher if you can qualify up front. That's a lot easier said than done here
but if you can do it, you're chances of sitting in victory lane at the end
of the day our pretty good."
Testing & Equipment:
The No. 25 Team Marines will compete with chassis No. 17, better known as
"Pac Man" this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was with "Pac Man"
that Hamilton, Jr. scored his first NASCAR Busch Series career win at New
Hampshire International Speedway last season.
Special Appearances:
Bobby Hamilton, Jr. will appear at the Food City Family Race Night on
Thursday, March 20, 2003 at the Meadow View Convention Center in Kingsport,
TN. From 4-5pm he will attend the Children's Race Party and from 5-7pm he
will greet fans and sign autographs at the driver autograph session.
