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03-13-2004
Hamilton Wins Thriller at Atlanta Speedway
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At the checkered flag Mike Skinner goes for a
spin and Hamilton goes for the win
HSP Photo | Bobby Hamilton, a lap behind early in the race because of an untimely caution flag, roared back to score a thrilling, final lap victory in Saturday's inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Hamilton, who scored his fifth series victory in the No. 4 Square D Dodge, passed 1995 champion Mike Skinner in the final turn of the 133rd and final lap to win by a third of a second. Skinner, who'd traded the advantage with Hamilton four times over the race's final 10 laps, spun underneath the checkered flag to finish second in his Toyota Tundra Toyota.
Hamilton, whose last win came in the final race of 2003 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, won $50,850 at an average speed of 123.675 mph. The victory was the 50th on the series for Dodge.
He four times for 56 laps as the caution flag waved four times to consume 26 laps.
There were 11 lead changes among four drivers - Hamilton, Skiner, Reutimann and Travis Kvapil.
Bud Pole winner David Reutimann finished third in the No. 17 NTN Bearings Toyota, followed by Kvapil in the No. 24 Line-X Toyota. Matt Crafton claimed fifth - his first series top-five finish - aboard Kevin Harvick's No. 6 GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet.
Shane Hmiel, Carl Edwards, Ted Musgrave, Ken Schrader and Dennis Setzer completed the top 10.
Kvapil took over the series championship lead by a 340 to 336 point advantage over previous leader Edwards. Reutimann continues as Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year leader over Tracy Hines.
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