Runner-Up Finish at the Fairgrounds Bodes Well For Josh Hamner

Josh Hamner has taken some criticism for his decision to spending 2009 racing in the ASA Late Model Challenge Series. The driver who hails from Chelsea, AL was the 2008 Blizzard Series Champion at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida and many felt that Hamner should compete in one of the many Super Late Model series throughout the southern region this year. However, Hamner chose to run the ASA Late Model Challenge Series and gain experience on a different types of tracks.

In the early part of the season, it appeared that Hamner might have made a questionable decision as his finishes were not up to the standard set by his 2008 season. But it didn’t take him long to get into his rhythm and silence his critics by getting a win just two weeks ago at Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana.

Hamner’s victorious finish at Salem gave him and his team just the push they needed. They carried that momentum with them this weekend to Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee where, despite a negative adjustment, they were able to collect a second place finish.

“I’m pretty happy with our performance,” stated Hamner. “We took the lead early in the race and at the break we just over adjusted a little too much. We snugged the car up just that little bit to where it hurt it but all in all it was a good weekend for us.”

His second place finish allowed him to make strides on the competition in his point race. Hamner, who was fifth in points going into this weekend, was over 100 points behind leader Brian Campbell and feels that if they can keep up their solid finishes then throughout the remainder of the season then they might be the ones holding the championship trophy in November.

“It wasn’t exactly what we shot for in the race but it turned out to be an excellent points day,” said Hamner. “I think we figured out that we went from fifth to second in points and closed the gap to under 80 [points behind leader Brian Campbell].”

Although Hamner is up against steep competition in the ASA Late Model Challenge Series this season with drivers like Campbell in the mix, he still feels that they can continue their success through the end of the season to get themselves into championship contention.

“Brian Campbell is a super, super tough competitor and a heck of a racer,” commented Hamner. “But we’ve got the momentum from Salem with us and going our way. If we have consistent finishes like we did this weekend I think I might give him a run for his money.”

For more information on Josh Hamner contact Matt Kentfield at (704) 788-2134 and check out JoshHamner.com.