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Hamlin Scores Second Consecutive Top 10 of The Season ORP

July 30th, 2007 - Concord, NC
Source: CGRFS Media Relations

Coming off of a career-best NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) finish of seventh place last Saturday at Gateway International Raceway, Kevin Hamlin had extra momentum rolling into this weekend’s run at O’Reilly Raceway Park. His and the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline team’s performance proved just that as they picked up more than 20 positions from green to checker to call it a night with another top-10 finish.
Earlier in the day Saturday, Hamlin and team noticed a considerable lack of engine power toward the end of final NBS practice. Therefore, crew chief Brian Pattie decided the team would change out motors before taking the green Saturday night. According to NASCAR rules, the change meant the team would have to start in the back of the 43-car field on the short .69-mile track.

As racing got underway a little after 8 p.m., Hamlin didn’t waste any time improving his track position. The No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) Dodge broke inside the top 20 just before the halfway point of the race and proceeded to only move forward from there.

Hamlin broke inside the top 10 on lap 164, moved up to ninth on lap 166 and then into eighth place on lap 175. He proceeded to battle his way to the checkered flag to successfully hold on for an eighth-place finale. His teammate Scott Lagasse Jr. finished 34th.

The No. 42 CGRFS team took another step up in the NBS championship owner standings, into 12th place, where Pattie and crew are 46 points outside the top 10.

CGRFS Grand American Rolex Sports Car driver Michael Valiante will make his NASCAR debut behind the wheel of the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge next weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Saturday, August 4, in the NAPA Auto Parts 200. The race will broadcast on ESPN2 (LIVE, 3:30 p.m. ET).

Kevin Hamlin Quoteboard

“This was a well-earned finish tonight for the Texaco/Havoline team. We had a setback earlier in the day having to change out the engine, but we were able to really make up some ground early on. Pattie made a great call there for us to take tires during that last stop. It really helped me gain some position in the closing laps so my hats off to him and all of the guys on the Texaco/Havoline team. It has been a fun two weeks running with them.”