Driver Profile:

Chase Montgomery began his race career at age 13 in karting. He quickly moved through the ranks competing in four cylinders, modified four cylinders, NASCAR Late Models at the highly competitive Nashville Speedway and most recently, the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

In February 2003, Montgomery earned his first professional victory when he took the checkered flag at the Advance Auto Parts 200 Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event at Daytona International Speedway.

The following weekend, Montgomery made an explosive impact on the NASCAR community when he finished 10th, the highest finishing position of any rookie in the field, in his Busch Series debut, the Koolerz 300.

He started to turn heads while competing in the ARCA Series in 2002. He earned four top-five and ten top-ten finishes on his way to a fourth-place finish in the point standings.

Montgomery set a record as the youngest driver to win a pole at Daytona when he paced the ARCA 200 last February. In 30 career ARCA starts, he has one win, six top-five and twelve top-ten finishes and finished second in the ARCA Rookie of the Year standings.

The success attracted attention from a very unlikely source, as rock legend Alice Cooper came onboard with Montgomery as a marketing partner in summer 2002. Montgomery's efforts also attracted the attention of Clarence Brewer, owner of Brewco Racing, who signed him to a seven-race Busch Series deal in 2003.

As it turned out, Montgomery made 15 starts in 2003, averaging a 27th-place finish.

In early 2004, Montgomery was signed by Bobby Hamilton to drive the No. 8 Dodge in the Craftsman Truck Series.

"I started watching Chase drive and saw that this kid really has some talent," Hamilton said."He's young and aggressive, and appeals to what sponsors look for in a driver. These days it's about the entire package a driver has to offer."

Montgomery looks forward to the challenge.

"Over the past few years, Bobby has been kind of like a mentor to me. He's a true racer and I'm glad to have the opportunity to work with him and Chad (Chaffin)," Montgomery said.