Samsung/Radio Shack 500 - Bobby Hamilton Jr. Notes

Texas Preview - Bobby Hamilton Jr. - No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet

HICKORY, N.C., (April 11, 2005) – Bobby Hamilton Jr., and his Tide/Downy race team have one thing on their minds this weekend as the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series pulls into the Texas Motor Speedway … get a top-15 finish. Over the last three events, bad luck has hampered the crew’s results, but not discouraged their attitudes. In fact, it has them more determined than ever to turn the tide on a season that has seen strong runs but disappointing finishes. The Tide Racing program is excited to return to a 1.5-mile track configuration like Texas since it is one of Hamilton Jr.’s favorites.

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

Why do you think intermediate tracks favor your driving style?
“Harold Holly (crew chief) knows how to design an aero package for tracks like Texas. Plus, it helps that I love to race at Texas. I love a track where I can run wide open and drive hard all day long. Harold also knows how to set the up car for me. At Texas, I want the car to run free in, through the middle and off the corners.

“When I’m done racing at Texas, I’m pretty worn out because the track is so fast. You are literally holding on for your life. It’s not scary; it’s just so darn fast. It’s too much fun as far as I’m concerned. I’m glad we get to race two times at Texas this year.”

With a large number of intermediate tracks on the circuit, does Texas resemble any of the other tracks?
“There is no place on the circuit that resembles Texas. It’s an incredibly fast track but carries very little grip. Most of the time you run the low groove. Also, Texas resembles a short track when passing because you can do a diamond into the corner to make a pass. That’s pretty much the way I pass there since it’s tough to run the high groove to make a pass.”

Are you frustrated with how things have gone over the last three races? "No, I’m not. In two of the three races, what happened to us was totally out of our control. We were running really well and I’m glad members of the media as well as the competitors are coming up to us and saying how well this team is progressing. We’re getting noticed. Every week we are bringing very competitive cars to the racetrack. I was hoping at the start of the season to run solidly in the top 25, but after looking back at the races we’ve run, we’re at least a top-15 car. That’s really impressive when considering Harold and I came on board with just 10 races to go last year. The turnaround has been awesome.

“By no means am I frustrated. If we were running like we were finishing, then that would be a different story. We’re not even close to being a 35th-place car. If we can get some good luck on our side, we just might get back into the running for the Chase.”

Notes of Interest:

Bobby Hamilton Jr.
This race marks Bobby Hamilton Jr.’s 38th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start. He has never raced at Texas Motor Speedway in a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series event. However, in the Busch Series, he has competed four times. All four qualifying efforts have been in the top 10, with his best start being third (3/29/03). He has two top-10 finishes with his best being fifth (4/3/05).

PPI Motorsports
At Texas Motor Speedway, PPI Motorsports with Tide Racing has a best start of third (Scott Pruett – 2000) and best finish of 14th (Ricky Craven – 2002). About the Tide Ride:

Chassis No.: 64
The Tide racing team is taking Chassis No. 64 to race in the Samsung/Radioshack 500. No. 64 has raced one time. It qualified 2nd at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway this season and finished 38th after cutting down a tire and hitting the turn one wall due to debris. The car was forced to go behind the wall for repairs but was able to finish the event. At the time of the accident, No. 64 was running in 16th place. For back up, the crew is bringing Chassis No. 63. It has raced one time on February 27, 2005 at California Speedway. It qualified 26th and finished 20th.