Every little boy has a dream. Some dream of being a professional baseball player, a fireman or a doctor. Chase Montgomery’s childhood vision was to be a professional race car driver and once that was set in his mind, he never looked back.

“I am so lucky to be living out my dream racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and to be driving for Bobby Hamilton Racing,” said Montgomery. “Not many kids my age have the opportunity to do what they love and get paid for it. I never want to forget that. Last year was my rookie year in the series and I learned a lot from the other competitors. I am ready to prove that in 2005.”

Today, at the tender age of 21, Montgomery is living out his dream by competing in his second full season of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He will pilot the No. 18 Dodge Ram out of the Bobby Hamilton Racing stables, moving from the No. 8 BHR2 ride he ran during his NCTS rookie year in 2004.

Montgomery began his race career at age 13 in karting. He quickly moved through the ranks competing in four cylinders, modified four cylinders and Late Models at the highly competitive Nashville Speedway.

In 2002, Chase ran a full season in the ARCA Re/MAX Series, finishing fourth in the overall points standings as a rookie. The Tennessee native didn’t waste any time proving his talent by becoming the youngest driver to earn a pole position at the historic Daytona International Speedway while participating in the February event there.  One year later, he topped that by winning his first ever major stock car event, the ARCA Re/Max race.

“Winning the ARCA race at Daytona is my biggest accomplishment as a driver,” said Montgomery. “It was my first professional win and I will never forget how I felt in victory lane. Daytona has so much history and prestige around it and I feel so honored to be considered a winner there.”

The following February, Montgomery caught the eye of the NASCAR community when he finished 10th, the highest finishing position of any rookie in the field, in his Busch series debut, the Koolerz 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

In early 2004, Montgomery was signed by Bobby Hamilton to drive the No. 8 Dodge for BHR2 in the NCTS. He competed in every race of the season, nearly cracking the top-20 in the season’s points battle (finishing 21st).

“It’s a dream come true to drive for Bobby Hamilton,” said Montgomery. “I grew up watching Bobby make a name for himself in Middle Tennessee and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. When my dad started his first late model team years ago, it was run out of Bobby’s garage behind his house. He has always been there for me to give advice whenever I ask. It is not everyday a kid gets to drive for his hero.”

Montgomery is looking forward to beginning the 2005 season with his new team. “It is a fresh start for both me and this team. They are a competitive group of guys who are used to winning and I plan to continue that by scoring my first career NCTS win.”