MONROE, Washington -- Kevin Hamlin had planned to return to his home track Evergreen Speedway for the biggest NASCAR race ever on Saturday July 29. Kevin moved to North Carolina to further his racing career. Unfortunately for us but very fortunate for Kevin he will be driving in a NASCAR Busch Series race at Gateway in St. Louis, MO this Saturday.
Official release re: Kevin Hamlin
Tracy Hines has decided to resign his duties as a part-time driver for FitzBradshaw Racing. The decision was made after Hines was pulled from the No. 12 car before this weekend's race at Gateway. "I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to drive for FBR in the Busch series this year, but it's time for me to move on and look for something else," Hines said. "I'd like to find another ride with a team in NASCAR, either in the Truck or Busch series. I feel like I can be an asset to any team." (Hines PR) NOTE: Chip Ganassi Racing w/ Felix Sabates development driver Kevin Hamlin will drive the 12 this weekend. (07-25-06)
From all of us at Evergreen Speedway “Go get them Kevin!”
Hamlin a graduate of Snohomish High School began his racing in the NASCAR Super Stock Division at Evergreen. The young 16-year old immediately adapted to it and was a contender from day one. After a few years Kevin moved up to the NASCAR Northwest Series and was the youngest to ever to win a race at the age of 19. After winning two Series championships it was time to move to the Mecca of stock car racing North Carolina. With one off rides in the three upper divisions of NASCAR, Kevin proved himself and was signed by Ganassi Racing as a developmental driver.
The NASCAR Elite Division Northwest Series (Northwest Tour) has had some notable graduates move on to NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch Series or Craftsman Truck Series racing. Kevin Hamlin now joins Chad Little (former Busch Series Champion), Derrick Cope (Daytona 500 Winner), Greg Biffle Former Champion of the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series and presently in the top ten in the NEXTEL Cup Series), Chuck Bown (former Busch Series Champion) and Toby Butler (Craftsman Truck Series).
The Washington 500 will be the biggest one day assemblage of NASCAR racing in the history of racing in the Northwest. There will be a total of 500-laps of racing on the super big .646-mile oval by three divisions with over 70-cars expected. The total purses and contingency money for this event is close to $200K, bringing the best NASCAR drivers on the West Coast to the ‘Super Speedway of the West’.
The local NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Speedway Chevrolet Super Stocks tour the oval for 100-laps. There will be 150-laps for the NASCAR Auto Zone Elite Division Northwest Series and 250 for the NASCAR Auto Zone Grand National Division West Series.
Saturday July 29 Schedule: Registration 8am; Practice (10am – 1pm (one-hour per division)); Front Gates (12:30pm); Qualifying (1:30pm); Speedway Chevrolet 100 (5:15pm); Washington Army National Guard 150 (6:30pm); NAPA 250 presented by AAA (8:30pm).
Tickets are available on line at www.evergreenspeedway.com or call the office 360 805-6100.
Evergreen Speedway is located in Monroe, WA at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds.
