LEBANON, Tenn., (Aug. 14, 2004) – Since Bobby Hamilton’s push to talk button on his radio, which helps him communicate with his Square D Racing Team, did not work the entire 150 laps of the Toyota Tundra 200 at Nashville Superspeedway, he serenaded his team in victory lane with the infamous Gibson guitar trophy – one he has longed for in his home town for years.  As a result of his series-leading fourth win this year, Hamilton broadened the points lead over second place Dennis Setzer by 84 points in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points championship.   

Hamilton qualified for the race in 15th position.  Then the trucks were impounded until Saturday before the race.  Once Hamilton strapped in his truck and tried to communicate with Crew Chief Danny Rollins, he realized he couldn’t respond.  The veteran driver heard every word that Rollins or his spotter Andy Dunlap said, but just couldn’t communicate back, so the team went to plan B.

“They gave me another radio before the race started and it wouldn’t work either,” Hamilton said.  “So under the pace laps Rollins told me, if it is loose go to the bottom of the race track when I ask you and if it is tight go up high.  Then I’ll ask you if it is loose entering or loose off and you can respond with a wiggle.”

Once the event started, Hamilton moved quickly into the top 10.  On lap 37 the first caution of the day came out.  Hamilton pulled to the bottom of the track when asked by Rollins letting his Crew Chief know his No. 4 Dodge was loose.  “He asked me ok so you are loose where,” Hamilton said describing the radio chatter.  “He asked if it was entering and I didn’t do anything.  Then he asked if it was on exit and I wiggled the truck.  So when he fixed it, he got it pretty tight.” 

Hamilton pitted on lap 39.  He entered pit road in ninth position.  The Square D Racing Team changed four tires, added fuel and made a track bar adjustment.  They performed a flawless stop allowing Hamilton to pick up six spots and return to the 1.33-mile oval in third.  The race restarted on lap 43 and two laps later, Hamilton was second to his son Bobby Hamilton Jr.

40 laps later the third caution came out and Hamilton needed to pit again.  This would be the final time.  “Rollins asked ok are you loose,” Hamilton said.  “I didn’t do anything.  He asked ok you are tight.  I wiggled to agree.  Then he asked ok coming off or entering and I wiggled for coming off.”  Rollins then made an adjustment to tire pressures and once again the Square D Racing Team cranked out a flawless stop allowing Hamilton to restart the race in first position.   

By the time the fourth caution came out on lap 117, Hamilton had dropped back to fourth.  He did not pit and the crew anxiously awaited the race to finish so they could talk with their driver.  The race restarted on lap 122 and three laps later Hamilton passed his son for third.  On lap 138 he passed Ted Musgrave for second.  Then the fifth caution came out on lap 139.

With only eight laps left in the race the Toyota Tundra 200 started for the last time.  Hamilton went to the outside of David Starr to take the lead coming off turn two.  “Passing on the outside in Nashville is something you just don’t do,” Hamilton said.  “I got a little wiggle coming off of turn two and when we went into three I said I’m going to lose this race anyhow if this truck doesn’t stick, so I’m going to drive it in there as hard as I can.  The truck stuck.  After that it was home free.

“I raced on the bottom, but tested the top groove about five times earlier during the race,” Hamilton said.  “I kept it to myself that it would work.  I knew nobody else could get up there like I could, so I thought I was just try it and use it for position at the end.  I have been wrecked for this guitar it seems like a hundred times.  I had a steering column come off when I was leading the All-American 400 one time and hit the inside wall.  Then I got someone mad at me and kicked my car in the side and that knocked me out of contention for the guitar.  I’ve been mistaken for someone else and wrecked that way too.  I’ve had everything happen to me except winning this guitar, so I wanted it bad.  I’ve been trying for 15 years to get it, so we’re going to enjoy this one for sure.”

Following Hamilton in the top five respectively was David Starr, Ted Musgrave, Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Steve Park.