July 29, 2003

Square D Racing Preview: IRP
Event: Power Stroke Diesel 200
Location: Indianapolis Raceway Park
Qualifying: Aug. 1st 5:30 PM EDT
Race Start: Aug. 1st 9:00 PM EDT Live on Speed

If You are Scared, Say You are Scared: “I don’t like it when people make excuses for something. One of my mottos is, ‘If you are scared, say you are scared.’ I’ll be the first to admit it when something is going on that I don’t like or don’t feel comfortable with. Everyone has something that makes them feel uneasy and when we reach that point we shouldn’t be afraid to say it. People should respect it when we do. Working around all these guys in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series garage makes men tend to push themselves over the limit sometimes. It’s natural to have a little competition. Someone might say they don’t want to get in a race car and drive as fast as we do, while others might say I would do it in a heartbeat. We all have a different button that makes us uneasy.”

Short Track Racing: “These are the type of tracks that I run best for some odd reason. I really can’t explain it. My favorite track is Lowe’s Motor Speedway and I really can’t explain that either. For some reason I have always loved that race track and wanted to win there, but I have excelled at tracks that are shorter. It takes patience at places like IRP and I have a lot of experience at that from my past races. You have to preserve your equipment to make it till the end. I have good finishes this year at short tracks and we want those back again. Last weekend we had a top 10 and that was a step in the right direction, but we are going to have to continue to pick it up. This is the second half of the season, so timing is everything.”

Three Team Advantage: “Economically it is easier to race three teams. When you go to buy parts and you buy stuff in bulk, and when you’re testing you get more information. It’s the same thing across the board as in Winston Cup, Busch or trucks you have triple the information because we have three teams. The hard part is dealing with more people because you own three teams.”

Notes:
• This weekend’s truck is Scarface. Hamilton raced it in Bakersfield, Martinsville, Milwaukee and Gateway. He has two top-five finishes in those events.
• The 46-year old Nashville, Tenn., native is going to be appearing at Monument Circle in Indianapolis for a Dodge pit crew challenge. The Autograph session starts at 5:45 pm.
Team Information:
• Front Tire Changer Michael Hinson Hamilton’s Career Statistics
• Front Tire Carrier Tim Enderle Starts Wins Poles Top 5’s Top 10’s
• Rear Tire Changer Kyle Power 37 3 5 10 17
• Rear Tire Carrier Eric Yost Career Money Won: $457,325
• Jackman Allen Mincey
• Gasman Art Harris Crew Chief: Newt Moore
• Catch Can Chuck Hoelzel Spotter: Andy Dunlap
• Engine Builder Arrington Manufacturing

Good Luck Charms: This weekend Bobby Hamilton will use his son’s pit crew as his Square D Racing Team. The last time Hamilton did that, he won the race in Darlington. Are they his good luck charms? Only time will tell. “We need some luck our way right now, but that isn’t the only reason why I am hiring this team. They are a well rehearsed team who can get the job done quickly at race tracks that track position is so important. At bigger race tracks it’s easier to pick up a spot or two on the track, but at little ones it’s almost impossible. By the time you pick up a couple of spots, your tires are worn out and your lap times are slower. Little Bobby’s crew has more experience under their belts. If that experience can make a big difference in our finish then we will take it however it comes. It’s crunch time for our team. We need strong finishes and to get back up there in points. So we’ll do whatever it takes.”