Hamilton Jr. hopes anniversary brings win

One year after Holly joined team, No. 25 team heads to Dover

DOVER, Del. -- Bobby Hamilton Jr. celebrates his anniversary this weekend.

	Bobby Hamilton Jr.

But this anniversary has nothing to do with Hamilton Jr. and his wife, Stephanie. A year ago, Hamilton Jr. got a new crew chief, as Team Rensi Motorsports hired Harold Holly.

The No. 25 Ford finished sixth at Dover International Speedway, and the Hamilton Jr./Holly combination went on to win four times in 2003 and made a run at the Busch Series championship.

"As soon as we hired Harold, we became a new team overnight," Hamilton Jr. said as the Busch teams prepared for Saturday's MBNA America 200. "Everyone on the team raised their level of performance and we became a threat to win every race.

"Harold is the best crew chief in the garage, and we really hit it off from day one. He understood exactly what I needed in the race car and always knew the right changes to make on the Team Marines Ford."

For Holly, the opportunity came at the right time, as he had been out of a full-time job since the team he had been working for shut down before the start of the season.

Then came a phone call that changed Holly's life. And Hamilton Jr.'s, too.

"When (team president) Sam Rensi called me about this opportunity, I became really excited and knew we could win here," Holly said. "I had always wanted to work with Bobby because he is a hard-nosed driver that will push the gas pedal.

"With Sam and Ed Rensi and Gary Weisbaum as owners of the team, I knew I could trust them to give us the resources to win races. I was right and everything has been awesome since day one. Bobby and I really want to be champions this year, and I know we have what it takes to get there. All my guys are winners and have the heart of champions."

In 35 starts together, Hamilton Jr. has four victories, 17 top-five and 22 top-10 finishes.

Leffler hopes for another Dover victory

Jason Leffler won his first Craftsman Truck Series race last June at Dover, and he hopes to repeat that magic this year -- in the Busch Series.

	Jason Leffler

"Last year I had a lot of fun at Dover," Leffler said. "It was my second trip to Dover in the Truck Series, and I left with my first win. This will be my second start in the Busch Series at Dover so maybe the second time is the charm.

"We had a two-day test here in May and we were able to learn a lot about the track and the setup that we need to bring. It helped me get a better feeling of the track in the Haas Automation Chevrolet and I think that we are ready to take on the one-mile oval."

Leffler finished 28th in his first Busch race at Dover in 2000.

"Coming to Dover, team morale is up, and in turn that will help us strive to be better," Leffler said. "We know that we have what is needed to win. All we need now is the luck on our side to get us to Victory Lane. In the past, I didn't have the finish that I wanted in a Busch car. I really think that this team will give me the car that I need to prove what I can do."

Fedewa gets new crew chief

FitzBradshaw Racing has promoted Scott Riefner to crew chief of its No. 12 entry driven by Tim Fedewa. Riefner moved up from the car chief position which he had held since the start of the season.

Riefner replaces Gary Cogswell, who moved to Richard Childress Racing. Mike Hillman had assisted Riefner for the last three races, but Riefner takes full control this weekend.

"I think Scott is going to do a great job for us," Fedewa said. "I thought at the beginning of the year he had the makings of a good crew chief, he just needed experience. Since then, I think he has shown that he has the ability to lead; that's why he was my choice."

Stremme: No, I really do like Dover

2004 Busch Series  •  Results  •  Standings  •  Schedule  •  Drivers  •  Best 25: Last 6 races  •  Best Starts by Driver  •  Best Finishes by Driver

En route to winning the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award, David Stremme's worst finishes were a 21st and 31st -- both at Dover. But Stremme swears he likes the 1-mile track.

"Dover is actually one of my favorite tracks," Stremme said. "There are a lot of G-forces in the turns, it's very physically demanding. Although it is like a larger Bristol, there is more of a second grove. I am looking at this weekend like it is a whole different year, and last year's bad luck there means nothing."

Quotable

"Dover is like Bristol on steroids." -- Stacy Compton.