Bobby Hamilton loses battle with cancer

UPDATE #2 Level Cross, N.C. – Bobby Hamilton was the driver of the famed ‘43’ owned by Richard Petty from 1995-1997. He won for Petty Enterprises in 1996 at the Phoenix (Ariz.) International Speedway and also at the North Carolina Speedway (Rockingham) in 1997. Richard Petty commented on the passing of Bobby Hamilton.

“The entire Petty family and organization is saddened by the passing of Bobby Hamilton. Bobby was not only a huge part of the racing family, but of the Petty family as well. He will always be a part of our family. He had a heart of a champion and that affected everyone around him. You could always count on Bobby. He was just that type of guy. He never let you down and gave you everything he had on-and-off the track. His family is in our hearts and prayers."

01/07/07 Bobby Hamilton Racing is saddened to announce that its owner Bobby Hamilton Sr. passed away this afternoon at his home in Nashville, Tennessee from complications of Cancer.

“He will be greatly missed as a husband, a father, a grandfather, an owner and a friend," said the Hamilton Family. “We want to thank everyone for their love and support of our racing operation and the outpouring of care and concern during his cancer battle. One of Bobby’s greatest loves in life was racing and we will continue on in his honor."

Hamilton won four Nextel Cup Races and the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

01/07/07 Former NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Bobby Hamilton Sr. died today at the age of 49 after losing a 2-year battle with cancer.

In August a Press Release read: After extensive treatment from chemotherapy and radiation Hamilton and his doctors were optimistic about findings in his post-treatment CT Scan. However, microscopic cancer cells still remained in the right side of his neck. Since that time, Hamilton is continuing his chemotherapy treatment and has gone through several procedures to keep the cancer at bay.

"There are two things that I've truly learned from an unfortunate battle like this. One thing is that some people really go out of their way to sincerely support my battle. The flip side to that unfortunately is people really use the circumstances to say or write the story based on complete speculation and don't think about the repercussions it causes. Cancer is an ongoing battle, and once you are diagnosed you always live with the thought of the disease in your body. It is the worst thing you could ever imagine.

"I have great people surrounding me at BHR who really stepped up to the plate to ensure that my company is on the right track for 2007 and beyond. We ended the 2006 season on a high note and made a great announcement adding my friend Ken Schrader to our No. 18 Fastenal Dodge. We feel that his knowledge will help lead our rookie Chase Miller in the No. 4 Dodge Motorsports Dodge in the right direction. We made some personnel changes and are really excited about 2007. I'm still here, despite what people say, and I'm still calling the shots around BHR. Our sponsors have been very understanding and their support is tremendous. We will continue to be a championship caliber team."