Bobby Hamilton revealed at Atlanta Motor Speedway that he had cancer. Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Still in charge, Hamilton continues to fight cancer

Not a 'victim,' Bobby Hamilton Racing head in control of team

Bobby Hamilton's ongoing fight against cancer has been a learning experience.

Hamilton, the 2004 Truck Series champion, announced in March that he was stepping away from the sport to battle neck cancer. Nine months later, it's an ongoing struggle -- but one that Hamilton refuses to lose.

	Bobby Hamilton Jr. had one top-five and five top-10s driving his father's truck in 2006. Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images
	SCHRADER TO 18 Ken Schrader will drive the No. 18 Dodge in the majority of the Truck Series races in 2007.  •   Complete story, click here

In August, after extensive treatment from chemotherapy and radiation, Hamilton and his doctors were optimistic about the findings in his post-treatment CT Scan. However, microscopic cancer cells still remained in the right side of his neck.

Hamilton, who has won races in all three of NASCAR's national touring series, is continuing his chemotherapy treatment and has gone through several procedures to keep the cancer at bay.

"There are two things that I've truly learned from an unfortunate battle like this," Hamilton said. "One thing is that some people really go out of their way to sincerely support my battle.

"The flip side to that, unfortunately, is people really use the circumstances to say or write the story based on complete speculation and don't think about the repercussions it causes. Cancer is an ongoing battle, and once you are diagnosed you always live with the thought of the disease in your body. It is the worst thing you could ever imagine."

Hamilton, 49, began radiation and chemotherapy treatment at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., after a tumor was removed from his neck on Feb. 8. He raced in the season's first three events, with a best finish of 14th at Atlanta, before turning over the wheel to his son, Bobby Hamilton Jr.

Hamilton Jr. earned the pole for the next race, at Martinsville, and finished 10th. His season-best finish was fourth in the season finale at Homestead. Hamilton Jr. ended the year 16th in points after six top-10 finishes, including one with team owner Bobby Dotter at Daytona in February.

	Bobby Hamilton won the 2004 Truck Series title. Credit: Robert Laberge/Getty Images
	Inside the Numbers Bobby Hamilton's career stats   Cup Busch Truck Starts 371 86 102 Wins 4 1 10 Top-5s 20 11 33 Top-10s 67 22 54 Poles 5 0 5 Avg. Start 23.7 20.7 12.4 Avg. Finish 21.3 19.1 12.9 • Complete stats, click here

"For those people who have truly supported me, my family, Fastenal, Dodge, NASCAR, all of Bobby Hamilton Racing and the genuine people who truly support my diagnosis and battle, thank you from the bottom of my heart for continuing to believe in me and my organization," Hamilton said in a team release Wednesday. "This battle is a private matter for me and I have done my best to share it at my own expense. So I don't think it is my place to even acknowledge the rest of the negative people who have played on my unfortunate circumstances."

Despite his health concerns, Hamilton remains focused on his race team. Ken Schrader will drive a majority of the Truck Series races in the No. 18 Dodge and Chase Miller will pilot the No. 4 truck.

"I have great people surrounding me at BHR who really stepped up to the plate to ensure that my company is on the right track for 2007 and beyond. We ended the 2006 season on a high note and made a great announcement adding my friend Ken Schrader to our [team]. We feel that his knowledge will help lead our rookie, Chase Miller, in the right direction. We made some personnel changes and are really excited about 2007.

"I'm still here, despite what people say," Hamilton added, "and I'm still calling the shots around BHR. Our sponsors have been very understanding and their support is tremendous. We will continue to be a championship-caliber team."

As for his continuing fight with cancer, Hamilton is pushing himself daily to beat the disease.

"We are going to continue to search for the best available treatment for my form of cancer," he said. "I have flown to several places for other opinions. We know there are some of the brightest minds in the world working on a cure for cancer. I didn't want to be labeled as a victim when I announced it and I sure won't lie down and be a victim now."