Morgan-McClure names Hamilton, Jr. as driver

Morgan-McClure Motorsports announces Bobby Hamilton, Jr., as the driver for the upcoming UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. Hamilton, Jr., who drives the No. 26 Carroll Racing Busch Grand National Series entry on a full time basis, will step into the No. 4 KODAK MAX Film Monte Carlo for the remainder of the 2001 season, with the exception of Martinsville.

Hamilton, Jr., who became familiar with the Abingdon-based team while his father served as the driver from 1998-2000, has three Winston Cup Series starts this season at Charlotte, Dover and Michigan. The starts came in the No. 33 as a result of an injured Nemechek.

While continuing his driving duties in the Grand National Division, Hamilton, Jr., will concentrate on working with Morgan-McClure in the Cup Series. He hopes to gain seat time and experience, not only in Cup, but in gaining knowledge to help in his BGN efforts as well.

Bobby Hamilton, Jr.:
"I really do not know what happened between Larry and the other driver. It is an opportunity for me to get into the No. 4 car. I can get seat time in Winston Cup.

"Larry and Morgan-McClure have helped me so much in ARCA. They let me borrow parts and loaned out engines to me. I am glad to step in and help Larry and the guys out.

"This will turn out to be a win-win situation for everyone involved. Not only will I gain experience in Winston Cup, I will accumulate more time on the tracks I race the No. 26 car on. Last year I practiced at Homestead in a Cup car, got out of it and went and sat on the pole in the Busch car. It really helps to be able gain knowledge from both divisions.

"We are hoping to put together a few good runs for the Kodak team. It is a great opportunity and we want to make the most of it." <pre>

2001 Winston Cup Stats Substituting in the No. 33 car St. Fn. Laps 5-27-01/Charlotte 15 39 262 of 400 Accident 6-3-01/Dover 25 42 72 of 400 overheating 6-10-01/Michigan 19 24 199 of 200

2001 Busch Grand National Stats at selected tracks

2-24-01/Rockingham      7   5   197 of 197
3-10-01/Atlanta     17  36  94 of 203
4-21-01/Talladega       9   23  109 of 113
5-12-01/New Hampshire   11  7   200 of 200
5-26-01/Charlotte       19  14  200 of 200

2000 Busch Grand National Stats at selected tracks

4-15-00/Talladega       32  4   113 of 113
5-13-00/New Hampshire   23  11  200 of 200
5-27-00/Charlotte       15  23  199 of 200
10-7-00/Charlotte       9   7   199 of 200
10-21-00/Rockingham 39  25  196 of 197
11-4-00/Phoenix     35  24  199 of 200
11-11-00/Homestead      1   22  198 of 200  POLE

ARCA In 6 starts posted 5 top-five finishes Charlotte--3rd Talladega--9th Atlanta--2nd Daytona--2nd

-MMM-