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The driver of the NASCAR Nationwide Series No. 25 Bobby Hamilton Jr. currently sits in 15th spot in the points, having dropped 5 positions after a disappointing finish at Darlington. He has achieved a top-5 finish and two top-10’s this season. Bobby Hamilton Jr. also has a busy and varied life off the track. He is owner of the racing themed restaurant, the Courthouse Café in Springfield TN, where the Bobby Hamilton Jr. Poker Ride took place this past weekend.
Another venture Hamilton has embarked on is as a team owner. As part owner of Sadler- Hamilton racing, Bobby will be running select races for the team in the Camping World East Series, along with driver Richard Johns. “Sadler racing has been around for awhile racing ARCA and it’s where I got my start.” “Sterling (Marlin) raced for them, Michael Waltrip; Davey Allison…the list just goes on. Jeremy Mayfield got his start there.” “They were ready to close shop; I went and talked to them about what they had in mind. They didn’t know what they wanted to do, because right now Nationwide and the Cup stuff are so expensive to run. We talked about drawing it back a bit, so we are doing the Camping World East Series.” Bobby has so far driven the #95 for the team in Greenville-Pickens Speedway, placing 28th due to suspension problems, while Richard Johns in the #59 took 13th. Hamilton is scheduled to race May 18th at Iowa Speedway. Says the driver, “My dad actually drove for the Sadler Bros. before he got really sick; I have something here I can build my way, the way I want, and the way they want. In the Nationwide Series some teams are king of struggling. You build the cars, but all of a sudden the Series is going to new cars. I kind of want to be the big fish in a small pond.”
Another passion of Bobby Hamilton Jr.’s is professional boxing,and he catches every pay per view event he can. “If you look at how much boxers train and how much skill is involved, it’s impressive. To be a knockout artist, that’s really impressive. It’s kind of like I enjoy the racing side. You’ve got to build something from nothing, hopefully into a great dynasty; it’s the same thing with being a boxer.” His father was a Muhammad Ali fan, and Bobby himself has his favorites. “Tyson…I loved watching him fight, he was a big knockout artist. I have his fights on tape. Also, Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Roy Jones Jr. I have a favorite boxer in every division. I like Mayweather Jr., Oscar De la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao as well”.
Because of the rigorous racing schedule, getting to a live boxing event has been difficult for the young driver, but ESPN was able to arrange for him to attend a match in Canada. How was it live vs. on television? Says Hamilton” Live, you see more of the show. The fans hooting and hollering, watching the fighters enter. Watching how the corner stuff works, it’s art. It’s a different side of other sports figures. Just like these guys look at us and enjoy seeing what we do.”
Note: While it may not be NASCAR, one of Bobby Hamilton Jr.’s boxing favorites, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is to be the honorary starter for this year’s Indy 500 on May 25th.
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Nationwide announces launch of The Up To Speed Challenge on ESPN.com
Bobby Jr. was interviewed by Mike Bagley and David Poole on Sirius' Morning Drive Tuesday morning (May 6. Click here for the interview.(MP3)
Catch up with Team Rensi owner Ed Rensi every week on Chicago's Racing Station.
Seeking Sponsorship
Team Rensi Motorsports is currently searching for a sponsor of their second Nationwide Series team. Full and partial season sponsorship packages are available. For more information, please contact Gary Weisbaum at gary@ppgi.net
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