HAMLIN FOCUSED ON CHASING SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP

SNOHOMISH, Wash. - Kevin Hamlin, the 2001 champion of the NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series (NRBNS), is off to the kind of start in 2002 that can get people talking about second championships. Hamlin has won two of the first three NRBNS events this season, giving him a 60-point lead in the circuit's current point standings.

"That's an indication of how hard all the guys on the American Dream Motorsports team worked this winter," Hamlin said. "We've all heard stories about how guys win the championship and lose some of their focus. We didn't want to do that. I'm proud of all the guys and how they've kept doing the same things that made us champions last year."

Hamlin has won six of 14 races on the NRBNS in the last year. He's finished in the top five of 13 of those races, including 10 top-three finishes.

"This run has really been my American Dream," Hamlin said. "I don't want to see it end. None of the guys on the team do. I think that's kept them all motivated to keep working at the level that it took to get here."

Hamlin's year-long hot streak has garnered some attention. Product sponsors Berryman Products and Fresh Air Systems Tech. (FAST) have joined the team in recent months. He's also been featured in Stock Car Racing Magazine and Late Model Digest.

Some owners in other NASCAR levels have started taking notice of the 22-year-old's accomplishments. Internet reports have linked him with rides in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Busch Series.

"I've had some very informal talks with some owners along the way," Hamlin confirmed. "But I want to stress that they are informal. I've made some trips to some races and met some owners. I wanted to find out what they looked for when selecting drivers."

above: 2001 post race championship celebration at Wenatchee Valley's Super Oval

Despite the conversations, Hamlin remains focused on the task at hand: winning more Northwest Series races and contending for that second championship.

"Those are our goals every day at American Dream Motorsports," Hamlin said. "We race to win. Each time we come to the track, we want to be capable of racing among the leaders and contending to win.

"Winning the championship in the NASCAR Northwest Series was very special last season. If we can remain in the hunt for another one this year, I think that would be even more special."

Since the formation of the NRBNS in 1985, only one driver has won consecutive championships. Kelly Tanner earned the titles in 1996 and 1997. Hamlin's seven career victories on the series tie him for 10th all-time.

"This is a superb racing series right now," Hamlin said. "There's a tremendous combination of veteran drivers and younger guys. On any given night, we are racing against some of the best short track racers in NASCAR in Ron Eaton, Garrett Evans, Pete Harding and Gary Lewis. Then there a group of younger guys that are already very tough and getting better every time, guys like Joe Benedetti, Jeff Jefferson and Chris Hart."

The 2002 NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series season continues May 25 with the Cellular One 125 at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval in East Wenatchee, Wash.