SNOHOMISH, Washington -- After winning their second straight NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series (RBNWS) title, Kevin Hamlin and American Dream Motorsports are preparing for the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series (FSWS) season finale November 7th at Phoenix International Raceway.
"Going to Phoenix is a lot of fun for us," Hamlin said. "It's really different because of it's size (one mile) so aerodynamics, a good big track motor, and gearing are more important than ever."
Hamlin's last race at Phoenix didn't go as planned. After starting 24th on the grid for the 2002 FSWS opener at Phoenix, a first-turn crash that collected 10-plus cars ended Hamlin's day early, and a brand new car.
"That was a disappointing weekend. We knew we had a way better race car than qualiying car, so were were excited about the race. That's just the way it goes sometimes. We're taking the car we won the Northwest series title with to Phoenix. We're putting a new body on it now. Along with a new rear end and a fresh motor. It's my favorite car and runs great where ever we take it, but Phoenix is such a different animal for us because the Northwest doesn't have any mile races on our schedule. The only time we get to do it is when we come down to the South."
Hamlin is only the second back-to-back champion in RBNWS history and its youngest race winner and champion. Hamlin captured five wins in 2002 along with two Bud poles and the Gatorade Front Runner award.
