Bobby Hamilton Racing [#04, #4,#8,#18] is expected to make a “major” announcement this weekend, and according to reports, it will be that veteran driver Ken Schrader is joining the Mt. Juliet-based team. The name of Bill Elliott, a semi-retired racing great, also has been linked to the BHR driving vacancy. Mark Martin also is interested in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ride. It’s unknown whether the new driver will drive a separate truck or take over permanently for Hamilton, signaling retirement for one of the area’s greatest racers. Hamilton has been unavailable for comment for more than a month. That, and the fact that he suddenly decided to skip the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway last month, has fueled speculation that he might be in ill health. Hamilton was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in March, but in August he said the cancer was in remission. Earlier this week Bobby Hamilton Jr., said his father “is doing great and he feels fine. There’s been a lot of rumors going around about his health but there’s nothing to them.” Bobby Jr. said he did not know why his father has not returned dozens of calls over the past month. He said he didn’t know what the upcoming announcement termed “major” by a team spokesperson will be.(Tennessean)(12-6-2006)
UPDATE: Schrader confirmed: NASCAR fan favorite Ken Schrader has been tabbed to drive the #18 Fastenal Dodge for Bobby Hamilton Racing during the 2007 Truck Series season. Schrader will drive the BHR entry in the majority of NCTS events with a to-be-determined driver filling in when Schrader has NASCAR Nextel Cup responsibilities that prevent him from competing in NCTS races. Schrader and 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Bobby Hamilton have been both friends and competitors throughout their NASCAR careers and now they have joined forces to help re-establish BHR as a championship caliber NCTS team. “I am thrilled to get the opportunity to drive the Fastenal Dodge,” Schrader said. “Bobby Hamilton and I have been friends for a long time so to get the chance to work with him is just an ideal situation for me. BHR has always had some of the most competitive equipment in the series and I look forward to climbing into the seat and racing hard. Fastenal is a great company, I don’t think there is a race team out there that doesn’t use most of their products in some form or fashion and I can’t wait to represent them proudly next year.” The Fastenal Company, is a Minnesota based industrial and construction supply company with more than 1,800 stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Singapore and the Netherlands.(BHR PR)(12-7-2006)
