Bobby Hamilton Jr. Event Preview
No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Race 31 of 36 – UAW-GM 500
Lowe's Motor Speedway
HICKORY, N.C., (Oct. 12, 2005) – It’s all about redemption for PPI Motorsports (PPIM) during this Saturday night’s running of the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in nearby Charlotte, N.C. Back in May, the team suffered an unfortunate setback by failing to make the race. Disappointed but by no means discouraged by what happened, the PPIM crew is more determined than ever to get the Tide ride back on track in front of the hometown crowd. However, the real icing on the cake is sure to be if driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. can give his owner, Cal Wells, a third NASCAR Nextel Cup victory during the week of his 50th birthday.
Bobby Hamilton Jr., driver of the No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet Monte Carlo:
Do you feel as if your team as something to prove when going back to Charlotte after missing the race in May?
“No, not really because we did everything we could with the resources we had at the time. We know what went wrong and we are expecting a totally different scenario when we go back. What happen last time is very much behind us.”
James Ince, crew chief of the No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet Monte Carlo:
What are your thoughts heading into Charlotte?
"First and foremost, the team has moved on in regards to what happened last time. We are not even going to think about it. We are approaching Charlotte like everyone else … it’s a new track due to the fact that Humpy Wheeler made more changes after the last event. We’ll just have to figure it out when we get there. There are quite a few teams in the same boat as us so I’m not too worried about it."
“I am appreciative of the format this weekend. I’m glad it’s not an impound race because it gives us a chance to concentrate on specialized setups for both qualifying and the race. I think that will help us reach our team goal for the weekend … top-15 results in both qualifying and the race.”
Notes of Interest:
Bobby Hamilton Jr.
The UAW-GM Quality 500 will be Bobby’s 59th career start in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
He has raced at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series a total of five times.
His best NASCAR Nextel Cup start and finish at Lowe’s Motor Speedway was last year in the No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet when he qualified 11th and took the checkered flag in 15th place.
In the NASCAR Busch Series, Hamilton Jr. has raced at the 1.5-mile oval a total of 10 times. His best start is third (5/25/02) and best finish is seventh ( three times – 10/10/03; 5/25/02; 10/7/00)
PPI Motorsports
At Lowe’s Motor Speedway, PPI Motorsports with Tide Racing has a best start and finish of third with driver Ricky Craven in 2002.
Tide Racing
Tide Racing has won three times at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Darrell Waltrip drove the Tide ride to victory lane all three times on May 29, 1988, March 19, 1989 and May 28, 1989.
Happy Birthday to You!
Cal Wells celebrated his 50th birthday on October 12th. It was also the same day Bobby’s daughter Haylie turned 1 year old!
About the Tide Ride:
Chassis No.: 63
For the second week in a row, Bobby Hamilton Jr. will be racing chassis No. 63 in the UAW-GM Quality 500. For back up, the team is bringing chassis No. 64.
