Bobby Hamilton Jr. Event Preview
No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Race 24 of 36 – Sharpie 500
Bristol Motor Speedway
HICKORY, N.C., (August 24, 2005) – It is round two for Bobby Hamilton Jr. and the Tide/Downy crew as they once again visit the bull ring known as Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Back in April, the team experienced the unfortunate wrath of the facility after getting caught up in a multi-car accident. A return visit may be what this team needs to bounce back and prepare for the 12 remaining races in the NASCAR Nextel Cup season.
Bobby Hamilton Jr., driver of the No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet Monte Carlo:
Your first race at Bristol did not go well for you and the team. What are you hoping to accomplish during this go around?
“Survive, basically. Believe it or not, Bristol is not one of my favorite tracks. I may reconsider if we get a decent finish on Saturday night but for the most part, it’s a place I’d rather visit once a year. I feel that way because so many things happen on the track that are totally out of your control. The last race is a perfect example. A car checked up and I tried to miss him. Instead, I caused a huge pile up. That’s not a lot of fun. It’s frustrating because it took out so many cars and it really wasn’t anyone’s fault. Bristol breeds a lot of bumping and banging. The fans love it but we hate it because it takes out cars.”
How important will be qualifying?
“For us, it will be very important. Qualifying for a team like us who is outside the top 35 in points means something totally different from those organizations that are locked in. We have to approach qualifying in a very smart way. We have to find the right set up combination that will allow us to safely make it into the field without losing a decent race set up. However, if we are too conservative or too aggressive in qualifying, we could go home. When you look at the last qualifying session here, only half-a-second separated first from the 43rd-starting spot. One little mistake could send us home. Needless to say, qualifying means everything to us right now.”
Notes of Interest:
Bobby Hamilton Jr.
The Sharpie 500 signifies Bobby’s 52nd career start in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
Bobby has raced one time at the half-mile oval in Nextel Cup and it occurred earlier this season while driving the No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet in the Food City 500. He started 18th and finished 39th after grazing the back of the No. 49 car. Hamilton Jr. was forced to call it a day since his car was damaged beyond repair.
While racing in the NASCAR Busch Series, Hamilton Jr. raced nine times at the .533-mile high-banked oval. His highest qualifying effort was fourth (3/27/04). His best finish was sixth (3/22/03).
PPI Motorsports
At Bristol Motor Speedway, PPI Motorsports with Tide Racing has a best start of seventh (2002-Ricky Craven) and best finish of eighth (2003-Ricky Craven).
Tide Racing
Tide Racing has won one (1) time at Bristol Motor Speedway. Darrell Waltrip drove the Tide ride to victory lane on August 26, 1989.
About the Tide Ride:
Chassis No.: 65
Bobby Hamilton Jr. will be driving chassis No. 65 in the Sharpie 500. For back up, the team is bringing chassis No. 57.
Where’s Bobby?
Bobby Hamilton Jr. will appear at the following location during the Sharpie 500 race weekend:
Thursday, August 25 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., he’ll be signing autographs at the Food City Family Race Night located on State Street in Bristol, Tenn.
