As Kevin Hamlin enters his 3rd full season racing the Raybestos Brakes Northwest NASCAR Touring Series, he has two things in mind: winning races, and making a run at the championship. On the weekend of the tour opener, the #33 American Dream Team, arrived at the track confident and ready to race. Kevin was well rested and  had the breakfast of champions, Cocoa puffs. Previously the team had rented the track in order to prepare for the race, turning an impressive 22.5 on a simulated qualifying run, hopes were high. Although the track and weather conditions were different on race day, Kevin managed a 22.780, which was good enough to qualify tenth.

In the early stages of the 125 lap main event, Kevin did what every smart driver tries to do, save the tires. With the laps winding down things became more intense when the cut tire of #81 Matt Kelley brought out a late caution, which gathered up the field. With the restart Kevin soon found himself in a heated door to door battle with the "sweathog"  Tom Sweatman for the second position. This battle freed Gary Lewis to drive off with the win. Sweatman fought off the charge of Hamlin to prevail, and come across the line in second place.

In post race inspection, Sweatman was found to have used an illegal fuel, and was disqualified. This placed Kevin Hamlin in second, and moved the 2000 Totem Travel Rookie of the Year and defending race champion Gaylon Stewart in to third.

All be it the NW Tour opener, Kevin Hamlin displays the ability and desire of a champion. Look for Kevin and the #33 American Dream Team to race the second event on the NW Tour schedule, May 12th at South Sound Speedway in Tenino.