Bailey’s Dodge driver Bobby Hamilton got caught in Bristol Motor Speedway’s short-track racing melee on Wednesday night in the O’Reilly 200 when he had nowhere to go but into another driver.  However the BHR team did not let it ruin their night and fixed the totaled race truck enough to get Hamilton back on the fastest half-mile oval and pick up three positions to finish the race in the 31st position.      

“It was typical of racing at Bristol,” Hamilton said after the accident.  “We had a guy get loose and overcorrect himself causing him to wiggle.  Then he hit one truck, which hit another truck and I rear ended them.  We’re all out there racing in a fish pond, so there is nowhere to go.” 

No. 04 Bailey’s Dodge O’Reilly 200 Recap

• Hamilton started the race in the 27th position after qualifying late that afternoon on the fastest half-mile oval.
• The Tennessee native withstood the first three cautions holding his own in the top 25.  Hamilton radioed that his truck was getting tight and that he wanted a track bar adjustment when he pitted.
• By the fourth caution on lap 67 Hamilton had fallen back to the 24th spot and was holding off leader Mike Skinner when the caution came out.  He radioed, “My truck is getting too tight now; we need to pit.” 
• Hamilton pitted on lap 69.  The Bailey’s Team raised the track bar two rounds and Hamilton restarted in the 25th position on lap 74.
• In only five laps Hamilton had found a fast groove on the outside and was able to pick up six positions. 
• Then on lap 81 the fifth caution came out which sent the No. 04 Bailey’s Dodge behind the wall.  Bill Manfull of the No. 08 truck got loose, wiggled and bumped into another competitor causing several trucks to check up and hit each other.  Hamilton rear ended one of them causing extensive damage to his Dodge.
• The team cut the entire front end off the No. 04 Dodge, replaced the radiator and worked diligently to get Hamilton back on the track.
• Hamilton limped back to the track on lap 168 and finished the race wounded in the 31st position.  He is still third in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points battle.  

“When I look at the points race, I don’t even count Bristol,” Hamilton said.  “There is no sense in it really.  You can go there and have a great race, or just as easily get caught in an accident that didn’t have anything to do with you and ruin your night.  It’s a great race for the fans, but sometimes not so great for the teams, especially Monday when we have to fix these trucks.”

Mike Skinner won the O’Reilly 200 after leading the most laps.  Todd Bodine, Jack Sprague, Johnny Benson and Kyle Busch followed in the top five.