Pit Stop

[thedrifter]

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification Number: 20035219632
Story by Cpl. Robert W. Wynkoop



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR(May 2, 2003) -- Team Marines race car driver, Bobby Hamilton Jr., toured Marine Corps Air Station Miramar April 24, staying for a free autograph signing for station personnel and their family members and a visit to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101.

Hamilton started his visit with an autograph signing at the Marine Corps Community Services Marine Corps Exchange. Marines, Sailors, spouses and children patiently waited in line for a signed picture. Many participants brought replicas of the Ford Taurus that Hamilton drives and other memorabilia to be signed.

Hamilton doesn't let being a professional driver go to his head; he talked candidly with fans about his past races.

According to Hamilton it is good for a driver to talk with the people he represents on the racetrack.

"We have a good thing going with the Marines," Hamilton said. "They've been a great sponsor."

Once the autographs were done Hamilton spent some face time with the Marines of VMFAT-101. He walked throughout several workstations and talked with air framers and mechanics.

Hamilton, whose passion has always revolved around fast cars with big engines, was right at home with the aviation mechanics.

"I've been a NASCAR fan for years," said Gunnery Sgt. Frank Durdin, maintenance control chief, VMFAT-101. "It was great to have the chance to see a driver up close."

A much-discussed topic was the similarity in fine-tuning a race car and the Marines' jobs as aviation mechanics. Even the slightest adjustments can make a difference in performance.

Once he and the Marines were finished talking "shop," Maj. Jonathan Gackle, aviation maintenance officer, VMFAT-101, presented Hamilton with a squadron patch, making him an honorary "Hornet Handler" - a designation held in the highest regard by aviation crews.

One usually is named a "Hornet Handler" for exceptional performance of duties at the squadron.

Following the Miramar visit, Hamilton traveled to the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., for the 1-800-PITSHOP.com 300.

Hamilton has been the driver of the number 25 car in the Busch Series for two years.


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Team Marines finish 18th in Fontana

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification Number: 200352185230
Story by Cpl. Robert W. Wynkoop



FONTANA, CALIF. (May 2, 2003) -- Team Marines NASCAR driver, Bobby Hamilton Jr., finished 18th overall in the 1-800-PITSHOP.COM 300 at California Speedway Saturday.

The Commander of Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area, Brig. Gen. Jon A. Gallinetti, was a special guest of the team for the race. All eyes were on the aviator as he took his spot behind the Team Marines number 25 Ford Taurus. As the national anthem played television cameras took note of the general's sharp Marine Corps salute. Gen. Gallinetti donned a team headset and took a seat on pit row to enjoy the race.

The speedway rumbled as each driver started his engine. Hamilton started his Ford Taurus in the 13th spot.

Early on, an accident on lap three sent the first caution flag of the day. Once racing resumed on lap nine, Hamilton was determined to put his car in the top ten. By lap 40, 80 miles into the race, Hamilton had moved into seventh position. Two laps later, he followed the race leaders into pit road for service. The Team Marines crew attacked his red racecar, quickly switching four tires, making an air pressure adjustment and filling it full of fuel.

Due to the quickness of the Team Marines crew, Hamilton remained in seventh position after the stop.

Hamilton continued to whittle away the leader's margin, pushing his car into the fourth spot just before another caution came out on lap 58. Hamilton radioed to his crew chief, Fred Wanke, that his car was tight in the center off in the corner.

Wanke instructed his driver to sacrifice the track position to correct the problem and allow him to make a run for the leader position.

He restarted the race on lap 63 and was busy making up his lost position. He regained the 12th spot when oil on the track caused another caution.

Following the caution, the driver told Wanke through his headset, that the car was still very tight. On the next stop the problem would be corrected, but not before Hamilton would fall back to the 14th position on lap 88. At the 100 lap mark the leaders pulled in again to pit road. Hamilton, took his service on lap 102, receiving again four fresh tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment.

The Marines team resumed their position in spot 26, but quickly regained three spots in four laps.

Another caution came out on lap 116 before many of the leaders hade made their pit stops. Hamilton, having already made a stop, was put a lap down.

The team opted to pit one final time. Fresh tires and fuel were going to be key in finishing as high as possible. Hamilton re-entered the race on lap 122 in 23rd place. He made up five spots before the checkered flag fell on lap 150, finishing 18th overall.

Team Rensi Motorsports news releases and staff reports were used in this story.



http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200352185936/$file/MarinesCARlowres.jpg

The Team Marines Ford Taurus sits parked moments before the start of the 2003 1-800-PITSHOP.COM 300 at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Team driver, Bobby Hamilton Jr., was among the top competitors for most of the race, but a caution flag sent Team Marines one lap behind, resulting in an 18th finish.
Photo by: Cpl. Robert W. Wynkoop



Sempers,

Roger