HAMLIN AND LEWIS TO RACE IN LEGEND CAR SHOOTOUT

AT SOUTH SOUND SPEEDWAY

TENINO, Wash. (May 7, 2002) – Defending Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, NASCAR Touring champion Kevin Hamlin, and 1998 champion Gary Lewis will take part in a special one on one match race being organized by Bill Bailey of NW Legends and Bandoleros. The ten-lap shootout takes place prior to the Pepsi 125, being held May 11 at South Sound Speedway in Tenino, Wash.

Bailey put together the event as a way to spice up the evenings racing program, and give Lewis a chance to redeem himself after Hamlin bumped into his Longacre co-worker in the closing laps of the Northwest Series opener on March 30 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe.

“The main focus of this race is I thought Gary got passed by Kevin the wrong way, and I wanted to give him a chance to have some fun in a Legends car against Kevin and show him how it’s done,” Bailey said. “These two guys are excellent drivers and this is a way to showcase the Northwest Legends to the fans in attendance at South Sound.”

Hamlin caught Lewis in the closing laps of the season opener, the two made nose-to-tail contact exiting turn No. 2 which allowed Hamlin to take the lead and the win.

Each driver is looking forward to having some fun this weekend and give credit to Bailey for putting the race on for the fans.

“I think it is really great that Bill Bailey has put this deal together, Hamlin said. “I want to thank him and the Northwest Legends for letting us do this.”

As drivers go, Lewis and Hamlin hold many records between them on the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series. Each hopes to have a chance to cut loose in the Legends car and give the fans a good race in the shootout.

“If I get the approval to do a little bumping, we’ll have some fun,” Lewis said. “It’s not my car so I don’t want to bend it up, I really have no idea how this will turn out.”

For the 22-year old defending champion, he just wants to have a little fun with a respected friend and fellow driver.

“This is going to be a lot of fun,” Hamlin said. “They’re quick race cars and seem like a blast to drive. We’re going to go for it from the get go and hope to run side by side and give the fans a good show.”

Bailey is hopeful of a good demonstration of the driving talent a NASCAR star has to handle the lightning quick Legend cars, scaled down versions of 1930s and 40s American production sedans.

“This is a very affordable form of racing,” he said. “This is a way for the fans to see that you could start in our program, then go onto driving a NASCAR stock car and learn as you go.”

“I’d like to see them go out and put on a good display for the South Sound fans.”

Hamlin will be driving the No. 18 Legends car owned by Jason Dickoff of Kent, Wash. while Lewis is piloting the No. 99 owned by Larry Best of Lake Stevens, Wash.

Hamlin said he would enjoy another opportunity to race against a person he credits with pointing his young career in the right direction.

“It’s helped quite a bit (having Lewis provide advice the last few years). A few years ago he taught me some tricks of the trade and it’s all come together. It’s defiantly been a huge help.”

Lewis has tremendous respect for his young protégée he said.

“He’s got a lot of good things coming to him. Kevin is a good driver and he deserves all of the things he has earned, everybody’s trend is to go with young drivers (at the higher levels of NASCAR racing), he’ll be a good one.”

The Pepsi 125 takes place on May 11 at South Sound Speedway. The Legends car shootout between Hamlin and Lewis takes place just prior to the start of the Northwest Series event. Tickets are still available by calling (360) 273-6420, or visit the track online at www.southsoundspeedway.com