Hamilton started in the 36th position and by the end of lap one, he was already in 28th place.  The first caution came out on lap eight and Crew Chief Danny Rollins called Hamilton into the pits so they could top his No. 4 Dodge off with fuel.  Rollins also told his team to make a slight adjustment to the track bar so Hamilton could be tighter in the corners. 

Following the restart on lap 14 Hamilton continued to work his magic.  By the time the second caution came out on lap 27, he was up to 13th.  The team decided to take advantage of this caution since they were close to their pit window for fuel.  Hamilton said he was really free at the start of the runs, so they made a slight adjustment to air pressure in the right-front tire.  The Square D Racing Team cranked out a fast pit stop changing four tires and adding Sunoco fuel.  Hamilton restarted in 13th on lap 35. 

Only five laps later he had worked his way into third.  Then he settled into the fifth spot and rode around trying to preserve his equipment.  The third caution came out on lap 55.  Rollins told Hamilton to pit for the final time of the race under the lights.  On lap 58 the team added the necessary fuel to make it till the end of the 100-lap race and changed four tires.  Hamilton picked up one spot on pit road and restarted the race on lap 62 in fourth. 

The savvy veteran showcased his talents on lap 67 making it three-wide to pass Steve Park and Ted Musgrave taking over the second spot.  He raced there until eventual leader Todd Bodine passed him on lap 85 which pushed Hamilton to third.  Then on lap 91 Hamilton was passed by David Starr and Jack Sprague, but still managed to hold off any other competitors and finish the race in fifth position. 

“It was a good night for us,” Hamilton said to MRN Radio after the event.  “We got a little tight and I asked them to make an adjustment.  It just didn’t work for us on old tires.  The truck drove good all night and did really well in traffic.  It went all over the race track, wherever I put it.  The first race here under the lights proved to be a good one for the race fans and the teams.  The track has more grip and it was cooler out there, so all in all a good night for the Square D Dodge.”

Todd Bodine won the American Racing Wheels 200 at California Speedway.  Ted Musgrave, Jack Sprague, David Starr and Hamilton followed in the top five.