SCHEDULE LULL STOKES HAMLIN'S FIRE

SNOHOMISH, Wash. (June 26, 2002) - Off to the kind of start that dreams are made of, Kevin Hamlin is getting antsy sitting out a five-week lull in the 2002 NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series (NRBNS) schedule but the 2001 series champion doesn't think the break will cool his desire.

above: Kevin Hamlin at Tri-City Raceway

"Everybody involved with the American Dream Motorsports team is psyched about getting back to the track," Hamlin said. "It's almost like we have a calendar and we're marking off the days. We can't wait to race again.

"We plan to come back with the same attitude we had when the year started. We're out to contend to win every race and to get our second NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series championship."

Hamlin's off to a great start in pursuit of those goals. He's won four of five starts this season and eight of 16 races since May, 2001. He's finished in the top five of 15 of those races, including 12 top-three finishes.

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 nine career victories on the series tie him for seventh all-time.

The 2002 NRBNS season continues July 6 with the Leonard Evans Superstore 125 at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval in East Wenatchee, Wash.

The American Dream Motorsports Chevrolet is sponsored by Berryman Products, Bowman's Electro-Painting and CK Shock Engineering. The team's cars are based on a Port City Chassis.