NHRA pre-race: 'Retired' Hammonds Tackles Twin Career Learning Curves

'RETIRED' HAMMONDS TACKLES TWIN CAREER LEARNING CURVES
Former NBA star balances promising NHRA Pro Stock career with participation 
in GM Minority Dealer Development Program

Crestview, Fla., May 24, 2002 - For most people, retirement is a time of 
relaxation, a well-deserved reward for years of hard work.  However, in the 
case of retired NBA star Tom Hammonds, the reverse seems to be true.  Since 
hanging up his sneakers last September following a twelve-year career, the 
Crestview, Fla. native has been working non-stop to establish himself in not 
one, but two new professions.

Hammonds' most visible endeavor is his pursuit of an NHRA POWERade Drag 
Racing Series championship in his Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier.  
However, of equal importance are his efforts to acquire a GM dealership by 
enrolling in the GM Minority Dealer Development program.  Each represents the 
culmination of a life-long dream.

"I see myself as being truly blessed, because God has allowed me to do two 
things in my life that I truly love, namely basketball, and drag racing," 
stated Hammonds.  "Most people consider themselves fortunate if they are able 
to do just one thing they love.  Now I'm about to add a third by becoming a 
GM dealer.

"It has always been a dream of mine to be a car dealer.  In high school, I 
used to work at my local dealership as the detail technician, which mainly 
involved washing the new cars.  Even then, I was looking forward to the time 
when I could have my own dealership." 

Established in 1972, the GM Minority Dealer Development program was the first 
of its kind in the automotive industry, and is designed to help prepare 
minorities to become future car dealers.  It is a comprehensive undertaking, 
which starts by qualifying potential candidates and providing a top-notch 
training curriculum.  Upon completion of the initial phase, the selection 
procedure continues by matching each applicant with the appropriate 
dealership opportunity.  Finally, General Motors counsels and assists their 
dealers to ensure the success and growth of their businesses.  

As Hammonds can attest, it is a process requiring long hours and hard work, 
but one well worth the effort.  When not attending to the demands of his 
racing career, the former power forward can be found working at a dealership 
near his home, gaining valuable experience.  In addition, every other month, 
Hammonds will spend a week attending classes at the National Automobile 
Dealers Association (NADA) Academy in McLean, Virginia, learning every aspect 
of the business.  

"This is a tremendous opportunity for me, and I'm finally able to take full 
advantage of it," explained Hammonds.  "I've been in the GM Minority Dealer 
program for the last four and a half years, and although I was qualified to 
go to the dealer academy, I wasn't able to devote the necessary time until 
after my playing days were over.  

"Now, I'm able to balance my racing activities with working towards getting a 
dealership.  It was a little strange at first having to go back to school, 
but just like we do with the Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier, I'm 
attacking at full throttle." 

Hammonds also sees similarities between his racing efforts and his dealership 
aspirations.  

"Whether I'm racing my Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier, or working towards 
my own dealership, the basic philosophy remains the same," said Hammonds.  
"You can't take anything for granted, the competition is fierce, you must 
work as a team and in order to succeed you have to remained focused and pay 
attention to every single detail.  I think chasing these two dreams at the 
same time will actually be a benefit to me, and I look forward to the 
challenge.  I plan on making this the ultimate win-win situation."

Hammonds Highlights:  This will be Tom Hammonds' 4th appearance at Heartland 
Park Topeka… Tom is looking to climb from his current 13th place in the NHRA 
POWERade Points standings. 

Fast Facts

WHAT:   5th annual Chicago Dodge Dealers Nationals presented by Castrol GTX,    
    the tenth race on the 23-race 2002 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series 
Schedule.

WHEN:         May 30 - June 2, 2002

WHERE:  Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Illinois

SCHEDULE:   Professional qualifying begins with two sessions on Friday, May 
31 at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m., and concludes with two more sessions on Saturday, 
June 1 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Final eliminations will start at 11:00 
a.m. on Sunday, June 2.

TV: ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights from 8:30-10:30 
p.m. on Saturday, June 1.  ESPN2 will then follow with an additional two and 
a half hours of final eliminations coverage on Sunday, June 2 from 7:30 - 
10:00 p.m.  The NHRA's weekly magazine show, NHRA2Day will on Sunday, June 2 
from 11:00-11:30 a.m. (Times given are Eastern.  As always, please check your 
local listings.)