thedrifter
02-12-04, 06:05 AM
Hamilton Jr. ready to chase the championship in 2004
Submitted by: Marine Corps Recruiting Command
Story Identification Number: 2004210111147
Story by Charlie Roakes
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.(February 10, 2004) -- The time has finally arrived, the #25 Team Marines Ford is ready to roll and driver Bobby Hamilton, Jr. can't wait to pick up where he left off the 2003 Busch Series season. The White House, TN resident finished last season as the hottest driver on the series, averaging a fourth place finish over the final ten races of the season. The journey towards a Busch Series Championship begins on Saturday at The Daytona International Speedway. The Hershey's Kisses 300 takes the green flag at 12:30pm EST.
Hamilton, Jr. is eager to pick up the momentum he developed over the second half of the 2003 season.
"The entire Team Marines Racing Team is ready for action this year," Hamilton, Jr. said. "Harold Holly (crew chief) has turned our racing team into a championship contender by leading these guys in the right direction and giving me a perfect car in every race. If we can pick up on just half the momentum we had at the end of the year last season, we are going to have a great season and contend for the title."
Hamilton, Jr. realizes the importance of getting out of the box in a positive fashion here in Daytona Beach.
"Restrictor plate racing can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a nightmare when you get caught up in someone else's accident," Hamilton, Jr. said. "Of course we want to win the race, but we also realize how important it is to steer clear of trouble and come out of here with a solid top-10 finish. We don't want to be playing catch up after just one race."
The Harold Holly led team spent one day testing the #25 Team Marines Ford here in Daytona earlier this year. Over the last three weeks, Holly has massaged the car and made a few changes for the race. Qualifying will be held Friday morning, with two final practice sessions later in the day.
Saturday's race will be the eighth career start at Daytona International Speedway for Hamilton, Jr. His best finish came last February when he finished seventh. Hamilton, Jr. has four career top-10 starts, with a best effort of fourth last July.
Entering the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season, Hamilton, Jr. stands in tenth place in the Career Earnings Standings. In 153 starts, Hamilton, Jr. has won $3,991,290 for an average of $26,086 per start. By starting the Hershey's 300, Hamilton, Jr. will become the tenth driver in series history to pass the $4,000,000 mark.
Speed Channel will provide coverage of practice and qualifying, check your local listings. NBC will provide live coverage of the Hershey's 300 at 12:30pm EST Saturday.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004210111846/$file/TMRJR001LOW.jpg
DAYTONA BEACH, FL --- The time has finally arrived, the #25 Team Marines Ford is ready to roll and driver Bobby Hamilton, Jr. can't wait to pick up where he left off the 2003 Busch Series season. The White House, TN resident finished last season as the hottest driver on the series, averaging a fourth place finish over the final ten races of the season. Photo by: TMR Photo
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/12865770DEC9FAAD85256E360058F84D?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: Marine Corps Recruiting Command
Story Identification Number: 2004210111147
Story by Charlie Roakes
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.(February 10, 2004) -- The time has finally arrived, the #25 Team Marines Ford is ready to roll and driver Bobby Hamilton, Jr. can't wait to pick up where he left off the 2003 Busch Series season. The White House, TN resident finished last season as the hottest driver on the series, averaging a fourth place finish over the final ten races of the season. The journey towards a Busch Series Championship begins on Saturday at The Daytona International Speedway. The Hershey's Kisses 300 takes the green flag at 12:30pm EST.
Hamilton, Jr. is eager to pick up the momentum he developed over the second half of the 2003 season.
"The entire Team Marines Racing Team is ready for action this year," Hamilton, Jr. said. "Harold Holly (crew chief) has turned our racing team into a championship contender by leading these guys in the right direction and giving me a perfect car in every race. If we can pick up on just half the momentum we had at the end of the year last season, we are going to have a great season and contend for the title."
Hamilton, Jr. realizes the importance of getting out of the box in a positive fashion here in Daytona Beach.
"Restrictor plate racing can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a nightmare when you get caught up in someone else's accident," Hamilton, Jr. said. "Of course we want to win the race, but we also realize how important it is to steer clear of trouble and come out of here with a solid top-10 finish. We don't want to be playing catch up after just one race."
The Harold Holly led team spent one day testing the #25 Team Marines Ford here in Daytona earlier this year. Over the last three weeks, Holly has massaged the car and made a few changes for the race. Qualifying will be held Friday morning, with two final practice sessions later in the day.
Saturday's race will be the eighth career start at Daytona International Speedway for Hamilton, Jr. His best finish came last February when he finished seventh. Hamilton, Jr. has four career top-10 starts, with a best effort of fourth last July.
Entering the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season, Hamilton, Jr. stands in tenth place in the Career Earnings Standings. In 153 starts, Hamilton, Jr. has won $3,991,290 for an average of $26,086 per start. By starting the Hershey's 300, Hamilton, Jr. will become the tenth driver in series history to pass the $4,000,000 mark.
Speed Channel will provide coverage of practice and qualifying, check your local listings. NBC will provide live coverage of the Hershey's 300 at 12:30pm EST Saturday.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004210111846/$file/TMRJR001LOW.jpg
DAYTONA BEACH, FL --- The time has finally arrived, the #25 Team Marines Ford is ready to roll and driver Bobby Hamilton, Jr. can't wait to pick up where he left off the 2003 Busch Series season. The White House, TN resident finished last season as the hottest driver on the series, averaging a fourth place finish over the final ten races of the season. Photo by: TMR Photo
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/12865770DEC9FAAD85256E360058F84D?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: