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Bobby Hamilton, Jr. had a pretty good run going in the Nationwide race at Memphis Motorsports Park. He was headed for at least a top 15 finish and had the checkered flag in his sights. And then it happened...

Bobby Hamilton, Jr. Picks a Fight with Landon Cassill in NASCAR Nationwide Race

by Mary Jo Buchanan (Senior Writer)

27

1,610 reads

Opinion

October 26, 2008


Bobby Hamilton, Jr. had a pretty good run going in the Nationwide race at Memphis Motorsports Park.  He was headed for at least a top 15 finish and had the checkered flag in his sights.

And then it happened.  Young driver Landon Cassill was also racing toward the finish line and got into Hamilton Jr.

Unfortunately, the contact caused Hamilton Jr. to spin out of control.  While Cassill finished the race in 13th position, Hamilton Jr. limped across the finish line in 21st place.

Hamilton Jr., often known as a bit of a hot-head, was not going to take this slight without some retribution.  He searched out and found Cassill's car on pit road.

Then things really started to get ugly.  Hamilton Jr. leaped out of his own car and catapulted himself into the driver's side window of Landon's car.

Since Hamilton Jr. kept his helmet on, with his driver shield down, Cassill said he could not understand a word Bobby was saying.  Landon just knew that there was a great deal of pointing and shaking going on.

Some fans even speculated that Hamilton Jr. threw a punch in Cassill's cockpit.  In any case, Hamilton expressed his anger pretty clearly at the young driver, who he believed spun him out of a good finish.

After expressing his displeasure, Hamilton Jr. found the rest of his team and his wife Stephanie.  In one of the worst shows of poor sportsmanship, Stephanie Hamilton then gave Landon the middle finger.

The Hamiltons earned themselves a trip to the NASCAR hauler for their ugly behavior.  Young Landon was still puzzled by it all, saying it was just short track, hard racing.

Whatever the case, there is no excuse for the bad behavior of either Bobby Hamilton, Jr. or his wife Stephanie.  Racing tempers do run hot, but the spectacle of these two ganging up on another young driver was just shameful.

Bobby and Stephanie, set a better example for everyone at the race track, especially your young race fans.  Your behavior earns you both a big "Shame on You."

Photo Credit:  Bobby Hamilton Jr. was encouraged by his father to be his own man. Credit: Turner Sports New Media

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27 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. S M Napier 8 months ago

    Excellent article, Mary Jo. What a bonehead Bobby Jr. has become especially when your looking for a sponsor or new team and sad to see his wife act like that.
    Since I'm a big fan of Smithfield's meats, just wanted to add to your article. That they are leaving the team at season's end that Hamilton drives for. So fans don't punish yourself by not enjoying their great products because of his actions, you'll only be hurting yourself and your taste buds.

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    • Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

      Good point SM. I know Bobby and Stephanie are frustrated but still no excuse for bad behavior in my book.

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    • S M Napier 8 months ago

      Just read on scenedaily.com, that the Smithfield sponsorship ended at race 30 in Memphis, looks like his Team Rensi may also close it's door for lack of sponsorship. Maybe it was just a bad day for him, probably thinking his top fifteen may land him something to finish the year with a sponsor.

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  2. Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

    There is so much pressure these days on racers with sponsorship, especially in this economy. Am sure that was weighing on Bobby Jr's mind. That pressure is only going to get worse....and affect many other racers potentially. Maybe I need to dust off my best social work skills and break out a new stress/anger management group for NASCAR folk??!!!

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  3. racethis 50 8 months ago

    E-M-B-A-R-A-S-S-I-N-G...Like it or not, these drivers and their families are under public scrutiny. Part of the 'fame game" is the "self control, set the example game." I think all these young drivers ought to have to take and pass a PR and "appropriate public behavior" test before being allowed to enter the big races. Can you imagine Bobby and Stephanie having to role play this scene with a mediator?

    Bobby: "Landon, I'm angry that you were racing hard and caused me to spin out losing my position and potential sponsorship"

    Landon: " Bobby, what I hear you saying is that you are frustrated that during the normal course of racing for the finish, you were unable to control your car and blame me for your lack of success and sponsorship?"

    Bobby: "Landon, let me crawl into the car so that I can clarify my points of frustration"

    Stephanie: "Bobby Hamilton, let me see if I can convey the message via sign language for you. Obviously, Landon didn't HEAR you ;)"

    Now, how much more civil would that be folks? Mary Jo, you teach the class, I'll mediate.

    COUNSELORS.....START YOUR SESSION!!!

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  4. L.J. Burgess 8 months ago

    Ouch!

    Bobby needed that top 10 sooo very badly. I can't say that I blame him...or her.

    We make too much out of these things, c'mon, let them be humans MJ.

    We talk about getting back to the 'old school' values of racing but we feign shock when our guys act human.

    Since the late 80's America's motto has been "I"M OFFENDED!"...thin skin = weak, weak, weak. The good ol' U.S. of A. has become...weak because of it.

    Good taste is overrated. Bright and shiny is faux. The 'finger' is underrated.

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    • Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

      I know LJ......old school would dictate this was pretty mild. Having grown up in the pits, I think I've just about seen it all. I know there was history, I know that the Hamiltons were so frustrated - even more so since Team Rensi shut down. But, this is a younger driver and Bobby is a seasoned veteran. Have a Jeff Burton like conversation and move on. And have the sense to share the gesture in a more private way - like back in the pits.

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  5. racethis 50 8 months ago

    That's racing though L.J. "Bumps happen!" The "athletes" need to use a bit of maturity and tact and deal with it. I've seen much worse happen to racers with more at stake and they've expressed their opinion and disappointment while not lookiing like a 15 year old who can't control himself.

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    • L.J. Burgess 8 months ago

      My point is...why can't we be 15 year olds on occasion? Why must we be so freakin' mature and uptight that we can't lay it out there for the world to see when we're pissed off?

      And...who are we to judge these people and why do we judge them?

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  6. Ron Van Lew 8 months ago

    How did that little dough boy fly through the air? That is my only question.

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  7. M Brian Ladner 8 months ago

    I watched that and I know the two of them had a history, but Cassill didn't look to do anything more than any other racer on a short track. Hamilton Jr. may have been upset because that may be the last ride he gets in a while, but he sure didn't help his cause with his (or his wife's) post-race behavior.

    To me, it looked more like Hamilton tried grabbing Cassill by the throat, as hitting him with his helmet on wasn't going to do anything. Give me a good ol' fashion Truck Series fight over that any day of the week. At least there they take off their helmets and don't quit swinging until a large crew member hauls one of them away.

    The worst part was that god-awful interview Bobby gave after coming out of the NASCAR hauler. He claimed that he leaned in to ask if Cassill's throttle hadn't stuck and a whole bunch of other hogwash that made even rednecks and white trash cringe. Between he and his wife's behavior, they showed themselves to be the south end of a north-bound jackass, and didn't help NASCAR's image one iota.

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    • Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

      Yes, the interview did him no favor either did it? Too bad all around for them. But again, if you're racing for a sponsorship as Hamilton was, that just doesn't seem the right show of attitude to attract anyone of substance to invest in the car or the team.

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  8. James Wallace 8 months ago

    Bobby Jr still has Fans???

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  9. Hollis Warren 8 months ago

    Didn't these two get into it at New Hampshire as well? Maybe it's time to sit them down for a boy-to-boy talk (Hamilton looks like a boy, Cassill might be young enough to still be considered one).

    Incident aside, this is not the way I'd want to see Rensi go out of the sport. Yet another Nationwide team biting the dust. If this keeps up, we'll be down to 20 competitive cars and 23 rolling chicanes by 2010.

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    • Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

      Hollis, I think you're right - there is history here. And I agree, sad ending to Team Rensi. I have a feeling that other teams may be out soon as well...

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  10. Jonathan Lintner 8 months ago

    Hamilton was also the idiot at New Hampshire. He's wrecked away far too many decent finishes.

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  11. Jim Bob Kern 8 months ago

    How many phone books do you think Bobby Jr has to sit on just to see out of the windshield??

    Maybe the block of wood Bobby Jr has taped to the gas pedal slipped off on the last turn causing him no to go and that's why Landon bumped him...

    It did look like he reached in and grabbed Landon by the throat and then Bobby's wife coming over and adding her "one fingers worth" was even more childish. The interview was a total line of BS from Bobby Jr.

    Maybe he should try contacting Gerber for a possible sponsorship.. the big baby!

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  12. Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

    Gerber....good thought!!! LOL - made me smile this morning!! Thanks Jim Bob.

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