July 1, 2003

Hamilton and Moore discuss Stiff Competition in Craftsman Truck Series

Stiff Competition: Bobby Hamilton knows that the competition is stiff in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. It was one of the reasons he chose to race in it this year. "I love the way this is playing out this season. NASCAR should give itself a pat on the back for creating the Truck Series. The races have been the best and the competition is harder in it than any other series out there right now. There hasn't been a race yet that someone led the whole thing and ran off with a win. It's either been a driver lead change, a three-wide battle for position, or passing at the end to get the win. I mean that says a lot for all these drivers and their teams to be able to compete on a level such as this and be so equal out there on the track. No one driver is better than the rest; we're all battling it out every weekend. It's great."

Newt Moore on the Points Battle: "The competition out there is very tough. We see all these teams that finish in the top three all the time. It's no longer one of those points races where we can finish in the top five or the top 10 every week and win the championship. These days we have to finish in the top three to be able to get ahead in the points. We were 84 points ahead going into Milwaukee, had one finish out of the top seven and lose the points race that easily. If you get 175 points for winning, five extra points for leading a lap and another five points for leading the most laps, then our goal every week should be to get 185 points. We need to be as close to that top three as we can be every race and lead laps and win more races. We have to go out there and let 'er rip!"

Notes:
- Hamilton, who is tied for second spot with Rick Crawford, trails Brendan Gaughan for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points championship by only one point.
- This weekend's No. 4 Dodge is named Beavis. It is the same truck Hamilton posted one win in Darlington and one second-place finish with in Dover.
- On Thursday night Hamilton will participate in the Celebrity Softball game at Kansas Speedway. His team, the Eliminators, will compete against the Crushers at the CommunityAmerica Ballpark to benefit BPU Checkered Flag Charities, an organization that grants funds annually to organizations with youth-oriented programs.

Hamilton to Meet Cub Scout Troop on Friday: It's not very often that drivers get the chance to take time out of their busy schedule to hang out with a group of children. In Kansas Hamilton is scheduled to meet a local Cub Scout troop, Pack 3240 in the Indian Tailed Hawk District of the Heart of America Council, and show them around his hauler. The troop is working toward getting the Weblos Handyman Badge, and learning to take care of automobiles is a part of earning this particular badge. "This is the experience of a lifetime for these kids," Hamilton said. "When I was little I loved everything about racing, and an experience like this would have made me the happiest kid alive. I'm glad to be a part of it. The Square D Racing coordinator is affiliated with this troop and they wanted me to meet the children at the track. Then NASCAR opened the door for them to tour the garage and get the chance to do something that will make other children so envious. It's something that will be a fun, positive, learning thing we can do."

Team Information:
- Front Tire Changer Dale Newcomb Hamilton's Career Statistics
- Front Tire Carrier Jeff White Starts Wins Poles Top 5's Top 10's
- Rear Tire Changer TBD 33 3 5 10 16
- Rear Tire Carrier Dana Ebersole Career Money Won: $415,820
- Jackman Stephen Douglass
- Gasman Mike Goins Crew Chief: Newt Moore
- Catch Can David Short Spotter: Andy Dunlap
- Engine Builder Arrington Manufacturing