Bobby Hamilton plans a return to his No. 18 Dodge. Credit: Autostock

Hamilton continues batte on eve of fund-raiser

Driver hoping to make appearance at 'Craftsman For A Cure' benefit

When 2004 Craftsman Truck Series champion Bobby Hamilton revealed he had begun a treatment program for neck cancer earlier this season, he had a clue what he'd face.

And while Hamilton continues to be a great example -- both for patients fighting the illness as well as anyone else needing a spiritual lift -- he's finding his current days the toughest so far.

CANCER BENEFIT "Craftsman For A Cure" is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday at the NASCAR SpeedPark at Concord Mills in Concord, N.C.  All proceeds from the event, which includes more than 30 NASCAR drivers and personalities offering dinners, autograph sessions and the chance to race go-karts against such standouts as Bobby Labonte, Kurt Busch and Darrell Waltrip will benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Victory Junction Gang Camp.  Fans can still purchase tickets by calling 866-227-3264 for one of several unique opportunities to spend time with some of NASCAR's top drivers.

"I am not going to lie and say the last few weeks have been easy," Hamilton said. "It has been the hardest battle I have ever had to fight."

Last weekend, Hamilton missed the first Truck Series event he'd failed to make since he formed his own team in the late 1990s.

And he's not sure if he'll be able to attend a special fund-raising event he instigated, "Craftsman For A Cure," set for Tuesday at the NASCAR SpeedPark at Concord Mills in Concord, N.C.

Hamilton's own dogged determination led to his latest decisions, which he said he reluctantly had to make for his own good.

"I went to the race at Gateway International Raceway [April 29] and caught a virus, which spiked a fever and knocked me down for three or four days," Hamilton said. "The chemo [therapy] and radiation regimen I am on knocks my immune system down, causing me to be more susceptible to infection.

"Even the slightest cold can turn into a major illness for me."

The support for Hamilton has been as positive as one would expect for one of the sport's most popular personalities.

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"Race fans and crewmembers have been extremely supportive, shaking my hand, offering their support and prayers around the garage area," Hamilton said. "I take it as my responsibility to talk with these people and sign autographs because I am very appreciative of their support.

"But being in large crowds of people right now is a huge risk for me. I'm listening to my doctors and when they tell me not to do something I'm listening."

Last week Hamilton said his third week of daily radiation therapy had particularly laid him low.

"That is when the doctors warned me the treatments would start taking a major toll on my body, which meant the radiation and chemo combination were doing their job," Hamilton said. "It has caused me to develop a lot of sores in my mouth and the worst sore throat of my life."

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Two weeks ago Hamilton was depleted and stricken to such a degree he had to spend six days in the hospital due to dehydration, a high fever and equally severe pain. He finally came home two days before last Friday's truck race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"I went back on Thursday for my weekly chemo treatment," Hamilton said. But that was his last public activity of the week.

"Not going to Charlotte for the race was a very hard decision," Hamilton said last week. "But my health has to be my main priority. It [was] the first race that I've been involved in one way or the other with that I have missed since before my Cup career.

"I want to be there for my team, but I've got to work on getting healthy again. I have three more weeks left of chemo and radiation treatments, and then I hope we can start on the road to recovery.

"I cannot thank everyone enough for all their thoughts and well wishes over the past few months."