June 30, 2003

Square D Racing Recap: GNC Live Well 200

Even though Square D driver Bobby Hamilton had not raced on the Milwaukee Mile until today, he proved quickly to his fellow competitors that he was the man to beat until his engine expired on lap 124. Hamilton finished the GNC Live Well 200 in 29th position, but left the race track with nothing but praise for his Dodge engines from Arrington Manufacturing.

“We don’t ever have any problems with the motors, so this is not a big deal,” Hamilton said. “They will work through this and we’ll be on target. This will tighten up the points race and create a big hype around the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. That is why NASCAR created the points system. It’s going to bring some excitement, and we are ready for the battle.”

The former Winston Cup Series veteran started the race in 15th position and quickly moved up through the field. Hamilton radioed his crew chief on lap 40 saying, “The truck is getting it through the corners. It drives great out here.”

On lap 84 Hamilton was forced to pit under green-flag conditions since the race was caution free until this point. The Square D Racing Team cranked out an awesome pit stop helping Hamilton pick up yet another position on the race track. He went back on the one-mile oval in the seventh spot. In only five laps he moved up to sixth position.

Moore began to radio Hamilton his lap times coaching him through lapped traffic.

“You’re doing what you do best out there Bobby. Keep up the good work. Be smooth, take your time, the leaders are right ahead of you.” Only a few laps later, Hamilton picked up yet another spot moving him into the fifth position.

Unexpectedly on lap 124, Hamilton radioed to Moore that his engine had expired. He pulled the truck behind the wall to his team hauler and parked.

Following today’s race Hamilton moved to second in the points championship battle, tying with Rick Crawford, behind new leader Brendan Gaughan by only one point.

Brendan Gaughan won the GNC Live Well 200 at the Milwaukee Mile. Jason Leffler, Rick Crawford, Ted Musgrave and Dennis Setzer followed in the top five.

NEXT EVENT: The O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas on July 5, 2003. The event will be televised live on SPEED Channel at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, and also live on MRN radio at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.