Nascar's Bobby Hamilton Dies After Cancer Battle

Born May 29th, 1957, Bobby Hamilton passed away earlier Sunday at home with his family. Hamilton was diagnosed with neck cancer in February of 2006 shortly after prolonged swelling was noted after dental surgury. Hamilton was 49.

Hamilton was the owner of three Nascar Craftsman Truck Series event trucks under the team name Bobby Hamilton Racing. Bobby Hamilton Jr, also a driver for the Nascar Craftsman Truck Series is expected to take over ownership of the team.

Hamilton got his start in racing at the age of thirteen, when he dropped out of school to join the weekly circuit at Nashville Speedway USA. Hamilton made his NASCAR start in the Busch Series in 1988, driving a car owned by himself and finished 14th. He made his Winston Cup (Now known as Nextel Cup) debut in a "Days of Thunder" car owned by Hendrick Motorsports leading five laps and finished 32nd.

In 1995, Hamilton moved to Petty Enterprises driving the #43 STP. He finished out that season fourteenth in points and the following year, he placed his career best 9th place in points and won his first ever race at Phoenix International Speedway. He became a full-time driver-owner in the Craftsman Truck series in 2003.