March 25, 2003

Square D Racing Review: Mesa Marin

In the third event of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the Square D Dodge was once again one of the most stellar trucks on the race track. The race had 13 cautions in 255 laps and Bobby Hamilton withstood the challenge of Mesa Marin Raceway’s half-mile oval to finish the race in fourth position.

“We had a strong truck out there today,” Hamilton said to Speed channel commentator Phil Parsons after the race. “We had a pit stop that set us back, but this is a whole new Square D Racing Team. The guys gave it everything they had during the pit stops, but the jack fell in one of them which set us back. We’ll have things like that to happen this year, and we just have to redeem ourselves when we do. We’ll have some time before Martinsville to practice and get the kinks worked out. I think this team has come a long way in the first three races. It says a lot for us that we have a whole new group of guys and are out here finishing in the top five.”

Hamilton made comments throughout the race in a joking manner when crew chief Newt Moore asked about the condition of his No. 4 Square D Dodge. He said, “I’m just out here cruising,” or “I’m okey dokey,” and even “I’m pretty sporty.” The crew members smiled at their accomplishment of putting together a race truck that gave Hamilton a chance to win even though he had never laid eyes on the race track until the day before.

The 45-year old Nashville, Tenn. native raced his way to the lead from his starting position of fourth by lap 68. He remained in the top five until the first pit stop on lap 85 when Dennis Hannel spun in front of him. Then crew chief Newt Moore called Hamilton into the pits for four tires and fuel.

Once Hamilton stopped in the pit stall, the crew members raced around to the right side of the truck changing the tires. Then they ran around to the left side. While the rear tire changer was trying to put his tire on the hub, the jack fell costing the team some time. The front tire changer was quick to help the jackman by jumping on the jack to help pump the truck back up. The team recovered and Hamilton went back on the track in 18th position.

Even while trying to preserve his tires, Hamilton raced his way back into the top 10. He pitted again under caution on lap 169 without any setbacks. This time Hamilton went back on the track in 12th position behind his previous car owner from the Winston Cup Series, Andy Petree. For the remainder of the race Hamilton continued to pick up spots without any trouble to finish in the top five.

Hamilton has finished in the top five in all three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events. “This is a goal that we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year,” Hamilton said. “We want to win this championship first and foremost. And in order to do that, we need to finish in the top five all year. We know there will be some races that we cannot help how we finish, but if we have any control over it then we want to have finishes like these first three races.”

Dennis Setzer won the Lucas Oil 250. Jon Wood, Brendan Gaughan, Hamilton and Ted Musgrave followed in the top five.

Race-by-Race Run Down:
Location Start Finish Laps Status Money Won
Daytona 13 4 106 of 106 Running $ 26,000
Darlington 14 1 147 of 147 Running 39,075
Bakersfield 2 4 255 of 255 Running 9,650
Martinsville (Next Event)
Totals 508 of 508 (100%) $ 74,725

NEXT EVENT: Advanced Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia on April 12, 2003. The event will be televised live on SPEED Channel at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.