Bobby Hamilton is currently 41 points behind Ted Musgrave in the Craftsman Truck Series standings. Credit: HSP

Hamilton doubles as driver, coach

DOVER, Del. -- As if defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Bobby Hamilton did not have enough to do on a weekly basis as a team owner and driver -- he also has to lead three young teammates.

Heading into race No. 8 -- Friday afternoon's MBNA RacePoints 200 at Dover International Speedway -- Hamilton himself is only 41 points behind championship leader Ted Musgrave.

Bobby Hamilton celebrates after winning at Mansfield. Credit: HSP

His two Bobby Hamilton Racing trucks: Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Timothy Peters and second-year truck driver Chase Montgomery are both locked into the Truck Series' top-30 in owner points.

That won't be an issue this weekend, where 36 entries will fill the field. But it has enabled them to pay attention to the "old man," Hamilton. And at a challenging layout such as Dover's high-banked concrete mile -- that can be critical.

"It's been said that BHR is one of the places that brings up the next young guns," Hamilton said of his own team and the affiliated BHR2 team owned by Ray Montgomery -- Chase's father, who runs Renshaw's truck.

"It didn't really get planned that way, but has just so happened to work out this year like that. We all work together during the practices and test sessions to use all the knowledge we get out there, but it usually ends up being the old guy's setup that works the best."

While Hamilton has won twice -- the only driver in the series with more than one -- and has five top-10 finishes in seven races, the others have had their moments. Montgomery is best situated in the standings, in 25th.

Peters has run only three races, per a plan Hamilton put in place over the off-season. He is 36th in the standings, but the truck is 18th, thanks to a strong early start by Casey Atwood.

Renshaw's No. 8 Dodge is currently 32nd in the owner points after missing the most recent race, at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

While Hamilton has spent most of this time this season racing with veterans Musgrave, Dennis Setzer, Jimmy Spencer, Mike Skinner, Jack Sprague, Terry Cook and Rick Crawford -- he's also had to battle Chevy's "All-Star" lineup that this weekend has Tony Stewart in Morgan-Dollar Motorsports' No. 47 Silverado.

It hasn't kept him from working with his youngsters.

"I go over with Chase and Timothy things they can do during a race at certain tracks to gain speed," Hamilton said. "I wish someone had done all of that with me."

He says, however, that when the green flag drops, all bets are off.

"I told them I would help them as much as they needed until race time, but once that green flag drops they are another competitor out there to me," Hamilton said. "So if I pass them, then I am picking up another position."

Still, the kids appreciate the lessons from the master. Montgomery has the benefit of driving the truck with which Chad Chaffin won this race a year ago, but he doesn't short-sell his owner's advice.

Chase Montgomery had troubles at California earlier this season. Credit: HSP

"Bobby Hamilton is an awesome coach," Montgomery said. "I have never had anybody who knows so much about racing take the time to help me like Bobby has.

"He is not only a proven racecar driver -- he is a great teacher. I try to take advantage of every lesson he gives me and there are a lot of lessons that take place during a race weekend."

Hamilton's schooling has paid off for Peters.

"Dover is a tough racetrack and it has a great reputation -- but right now my biggest plus is that my confidence is built up from the run we had at Charlotte last week," Peters said. "Hopefully I can pick up on all the things I need to learn fairly quickly and get up to speed."

"Timothy generally adapts to brand new racetracks really well," crew chief Randy Seals said. "Bobby has talked with him a lot about Dover and Bobby is a really good coach.

"If Timothy listens to him and follows him then he should be in good shape as far as learning the racetrack and being able to navigate it properly."