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Chad Chaffin Signs to
Drive the No. 18 Bobby Hamilton Racing Dickies Dodge
Mount Juliet, Tennessee
(January 7, 2003) -
Bobby Hamilton Racing put months of speculation to
rest today when they signed 34 year old Nashville, Tennessee driver Chad
Chaffin to a one year contract to drive the No. 18 Dickies Dodge during the
2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.
“When I began racing in 1983 Bobby (Hamilton) was racing at the old
Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee and I got to run against him a
few times,” said Chaffin. “I watched Bobby progress through the ranks and
it was an inspiration. I’ve tested for the team on a few occasions, and
even got to race with them once, so to say that this is a dream opportunity
is definitely an understatement. I can think of no ride in all of NASCAR
that I would want over this one. I’ve waited for this call for several
years now, and I’m going to make the most out of it.”
Chaffin has spent the last few years racing in the NASCAR Busch Grand
National Series with several different teams. Over this time period he
recorded 79 starts with a career best ninth place finish at Richmond
International Raceway in 1999. Chaffin also has made seven starts in the
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series over the past few years. In 2000, Chaffin
recorded a career best finish of third place at Nashville Fairgrounds
Speedway.
Chaffin also has two NASCAR Late Model Track Championships at the Nashville
Fairground Speedway in 1993 and 1995. He also recorded 69 victories at the
Speedway over the last 15 years.
“Every time we have needed to fill a seat at BHR Chad (Chaffin) has been on
my list,” said Hamilton. “He has tested for me a few times and we seem to
always be on the same page. So I’m pretty confident about what he can do
behind the wheel of the Dickies Truck. I expect big things out of the team
and driver. We’re coming off a tough year, and hopefully getting back to a
driver that is from the local area will help us reclaim a top finish in the
points standings this season.”
This is not the first time that Chaffin has driven for Bobby Hamilton
Racing. In 2000, he drove the No. 4 truck for the organization at Chicago
Motor Speedway and finished in the 14th position after having problems with
the transmission late in the event.
Along with making the driver change for the 2003 season Bobby Hamilton
Racing also moved Randy Seals over to the No. 18 team as the Crew Chief for
Chaffin. Seals served as the Crew Chief on the No. 4 truck for the team
last year.
“When I found out I was getting the No. 18 truck I was very excited,” said
Seals. “The icing on the cake was finding out the driver was Chad Chaffin.
I have watched Chad for years record a good finish with a sub-par car. I
have always said I would love to see what he could do in a good race truck
so this is a big opportunity for the both of us. The scary thing is when
Bobby (Hamilton) told me it was time to step up to the plate because you
know what is expected from the No. 18 truck.”
For More Information see
www.bobbyhamiltonracing.com |
