Chevy Rock & Roll 400 - Bobby Hamilton Jr. Notes

Bobby Hamilton Jr. Event Preview
No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Race 26 of 36 – Chevy Rock & Roll 400
Richmond International Raceway

HICKORY, N.C., (Sept. 6, 2005) – The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 marks the last race before the start of NASCAR’s Chase for the Nextel Cup. Despite the fact the No. 32 Tide/Downy race team will not be a part of “The Chase”, there’s plenty at stake and of interest for driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. and his Tide crew.

Earlier this season, the Tide ride experienced an unfortunate oil leak throughout most of the Chevy American Revolution 400 relegating the crew to a disappointing 36th-place finish. However, the team is still inspired by a run with Hamilton Jr. in just his second race with PPI Motorsports at RIR back in 2004. That’s when the newly-hired driver came from two laps down to finish 11th. Needless to say, the team knows Hamilton Jr. can make big moves at the .75-mile oval and this race may lead to the driver’s first NASCAR Nextel Cup victory and first for PPI Motorsports since March 16, 2003.

Bobby Hamilton Jr., driver of the No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet Monte Carlo:

Are you looking forward to going to Richmond despite not being included in the Chase for the Nextel Cup?

“Yes, I am. We are involved in our own battle for points. Richmond has been a good track for me in the past and this could be a good points weekend for us. We are just 54 points out of 36th and 110 points out of the top 35 in owner points. That’s our major focus right now – the top-35 owner points standings. Our goal is to be back in the top 35 as soon as possible so that the pressure will be taken off of us for qualifying. When we climb back into the top 35, we can concentrate more on race set ups. I think when we can do that, our overall race performances will really improve. Right now, we have to put a little more emphasis on qualifying because of the fact that we have to get in on time. I think because of that, we have lost a little on the race set ups and that hurts us during the early stages of the race. We ended up with a good car near the end of the race last weekend finishing 23rd, but the first half, we really struggled. So getting back in the top 35 in owner points will be a small victory for this race team and one we will not take for granted.”

Notes of Interest:

Bobby Hamilton Jr.

The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 signifies Bobby’s 54th career start in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. He has raced at Richmond International Raceway in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series a total of three times. The most recent came this season on May 14 when he started 27th and finished 36th due to an oil-leak problem. Meanwhile in 2004, he ran two times sporting impressive top-20 finishes. Last year his first attempt came in the 09 car on May 15 resulted in a 17th-place finish after starting 26th. Then on September 5 for PPI Motorsports, he started 22nd and finished 11th. Earlier this year, Hamilton Jr. and the Tide Racing team tested chassis No. 65 at Richmond in preparations for the Chevy American Revolution 400 on April 26.

PPI Motorsports

At Richmond International Raceway, PPI Motorsports with Tide Racing has a best start of 10th and best finish of ninth with driver Ricky Craven in 2002. Guiding Light

Cast members of Procter and Gamble’s Guiding Light soap opera will cheer on Bobby Hamilton Jr. and his Tide crew during Friday’s Bud Pole qualifying. Photo Ops and interviews will be available upon request. About the Tide Ride:

Chassis No.: 66

Bobby Hamilton Jr. will be driving chassis No. 66 in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. For back up, the team is bringing chassis No. 57.