Bobby Hamilton Jr.

Hamilton Jr. with his father, Bobby Hamilton Sr., in 2005.

**Charles Robert Hamilton Jr.** is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He last compete part-time in the NASCAR Pepsi Cup Series in 2006, driving the no. 04 Dodge for Bobby Hamilton Racing. He is the son of Bobby Hamilton. He only ran one full season in 2005 for PPI Motorsports.

## Career

At Homestead in 2000, he made his Pepsi Cup Series debut at the track, driving the No. 57 Chevrolet owned by his father. He finished 33rd in that race, six laps down. He would drove the No. 01 Coors Light Chevrolet for SABCO Racing the following week, replacing Ted Musgrave, to a 31st-place finish. He was expected to take over the 01 in 2001, but Jason Leffler was announced as the driver instead of Hamilton.

In 2001, he returend the Pepsi Cup, driving the no.33 Oakwood Homes Chevy for Andy Petree Racing for three races at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Dover, and Michigan, fillin in for his father, as he was driving Petree's no.55 car after Joe Nemechek broke his shoulder in a test session at Dover.

However, his first three race in 2001, were not very well. During the 2001 Coca-Cola 600, Hamiltion crashed on lap 262, causing him to finish 39th, at Dover his engine started overheating after 72 laps and placed 42nd. At Michigan where he placed 24th. Hamilton would not return until the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's, this time, driving for Morgan-McClure Motorsports in a deal for seven of the last eight races of 2001. Hamilton would run well, only gwtting two DNF's (Engine issues at Lowe's, and overheating at Phoinex), and getting three top 20's with a best finish of 14th in the 2001 EA Sports 500 at Talladeaga, but was released after the season in exchange for Mike Skinner, who was previously fired from Richard Childress Racing.

Hamilton did not compete in any races until 2003, when he and Team Rensi attempted three races in their no.35 Ford, failing to qualify for only one, with a best finish being 14th at Kansas Speedway in 2003.

Hamilton then returned in 2004, driving the no.09 Miccosukee Dodge for Phoenix Racing in six races. He started well, placing 14th in the 2004 Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond. He would then particpate in that year's Coca Cola 600, but finished 42nd after handling issues forced him out of the race following 73 laps. He would then partipate in the races at Daytona and Chiagoland, but suffered DNF's in those two races due to a crash at Daytona, and his engine failing after 86 laps at Chicagoland. In the next race at Loudon, he succesfully placed 19th and his first Pepsi Cup lead lap finish. Hamilton would return for sixth and final start in the 09 at Michigan, where he once again suffered engine issues and placed 38th.

But then, he was announced to drive the no.32 Tide Chevorlet for PPI Motorsports in 11 of the last twelves races, replacing Ricky Craven who was released from the ride but did one start at the second Loudon race. Hamilton would get three top 20's with a best finsih of 11th at the second Richmond race. PPI then announced he would run full-time in 2005. But struggled immensely, not finishing any higher than 11th, which was one of only three top 20's, and suffered nine DNF's and placed 36th in points. Hamilton was let go from PPI at the end of the season.

In 2006, Hamilton did three races driving the 04 for Bobby Hamilton Racing, but didnt do well in those three races with his best finish being 44th at Indinapolis, which was his final Pepsi Cup Start.