Birth
Date: January 8, 1978
Height/Weight: 5'5" 170 lbs.
Residence: White House, TN
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Marital Status: Wife, Stephanie
Children: Daughter, Haylie Denise (Oct. 12, 2004)
Hobbies: Local Racing, Paint Ball and Running his
restaurant, Court House Café
in Springfield, Tenn.
The 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season sets
up to be a successful season for Bobby Hamilton, Jr. and Team Rensi
Motorsports. This formidable combination finished in sixth position
in the 2007 points championship and marked the return of Hamilton,
Jr. to the organization. Earlier in his driving career, Hamilton
recorded five Busch Series wins for Team Rensi Motorsports from
2002-2004. In 2003, Bobby dominated the competition over the second
half of the season and came within 49 points of capturing the Busch
Series Championship.
In 2008 Bobby will pilot the # 25 Smithfield
Foods Ford Fusion with Crew Chief Chris Wright leading the charge.
Smithfield owned companies; Eckrich Foods, Curly’s Foods and
John Morrell will share sponsorship of the car this season.
The talented 30 year old Tennessee native
brings a wealth of stock car experience and passion for the sport
to Team Rensi Motorsports. Bobby has recorded 305 starts in the
Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series
combined.
Bobby was born into the sport of NASCAR as
the son of the late Bobby Hamilton, Sr, a racing legend and the
2004 Craftsman Truck Series Champion. At the age of 15 Bobby came
home to find a gift from his father in driveway, a Ford Pinto. Together
they turned the Pinto into a racecar and Bobby began to race on
the weekends at local tracks.
From this point forward, Bobby began to climb
the racing ladder. Despite having a successful racecar driver as
a father, Bobby still had to work hard to find success.
Bobby made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut
in 1998 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, NC. After
starting in the 27th position, he led three laps and finished in
37th position.
Over the next few years Bobby raced for various
underfunded Busch Series Teams before landing with Team Rensi Motorsports
in 2002. The opportunity to drive the No. 25 Team Marines Ford was
just the break he had been looking for. At New Hampshire International
Speedway, Bobby led 83 laps enroute to his first victory and the
first win for Team Rensi Motorsports.
In 2003 Bobby recorded his best year ever,
winning four races and coming within 49 points of the Busch Series
Championship. Bobby recorded 13 top-five and 22 top-ten finishes.
Bobby competed in 23 Busch Series races in
2004 before moving to the Nextel Cup Series with PPI Motorsports.
He remained with PPI Motorsports through the 2005 season. In 2006,
Bobby raced for his late father’s team, Bobby Hamilton Racing
in the Craftsman Truck Series.
A chance meeting in Bristol, TN with Team
Rensi Motorsports Co-Owner Ed Rensi and Team President Ronnie Russell
led to Bobby’s return home for the 2007Nationwide Series season.
“I am really excited about the 2008
season,” said Bobby. “My family and I feel very comfortable
at Team Rensi Motorsports and together we want to build the race
team back to the top. With the backing of Smithfield Foods, we are
in position for a very exciting year.”
Count on Bobby Hamilton, Jr. and Team Rensi
Motorsports giving each other 110% effort as they strive for success
in the 2008 season. Bobby’s desire to succeed is unmatched
in NASCAR and Team Rensi Motorsports is very excited to carry the
colors of Smithfield Foods. |