Bobby Hamilton, the owner/driver of the Bobby Hamilton Racing #18 Dodge in the Craftsman Truck Series [along with the #04 and #4 trucks as owner], has been named the first-quarter winner of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award for 2006. Hamilton, a former Nextel Cup driver who scored four career wins in the Cup series before turning to trucks, announced earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with a form of head and neck cancer. He turned the driving duties of his popular No. 4 Dodge over to his son, Bobby Hamilton Jr., in order to concentrate on treating the disease. In conjunction with series sponsor Craftsman, Hamilton helped organize Tuesday nights Craftsman for a Cure charity event, a program that allowed fans to meet and race go-karts with some of their favorite drivers. Proceeds from the event as well as from an ongoing online auction of racing memorabilia will benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life as well as the Victory Junction Gang Camp.(Speed Channel)(5-24-2006)
