Early Race Incident Spoils Potential Top 20

After a flat tire forced the #81 team to make a green flag pit stop, driver Bobby Hamilton settled for a 30th place finish.

The weekend started out on a promising note when Hamilton Jr. posted the 11th quickest time in the first practice.  Unfortunately, the car was amiss in qualifying, and Hamilton Jr. posted the 43rd quickest time in qualifying.

“The car was crazy loose in qualifying.  Bobby just shut it down to keep from wrecking,” said David Ingram, crew chief for the #81.

After the flat tire on lap 33 put the #81 team 3 laps down, Bobby continued to struggle with a loose racecar.  Around lap 105, Hamilton Jr. tagged the wall coming off the turn, inducing another four-tire green flag stop. 

From there, the race was uneventful for the #81 team; however, they were unable to overcome the setbacks.

Hamilton Jr. will be back in the car this weekend at Richmond for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN 2.