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NorthernLight IRL: Hamilton preserves streak by landing ride for Excite 500

11 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Promising rookie Morioka to make Indy Racing debut in Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas- The streak lives. Indy Racing Northern Light Series iron man Davey Hamilton will continue his streak as the only driver to start every race in series history after landing a ride with Mid America Motorsports for the Excite 500 on Oct. 15 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Hamilton, from Las Vegas, will drive the #43 Western Star Trucks/PetroMoly Special Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone for Mid America, which has fielded entries this season for Doug Didero and Jaques Lazier. It will be Hamiltons 43rd consecutive Northern Light Series start.

"Its a relief knowing that Im now racing in the Excite 500, keeping the streak alive," Hamilton said. "Being with the Mid America team for this last race is a good thing in that were both looking for the same thing. Were both looking to finish, and finish with a good result to end the season."

Hamilton joins Mid America after he parted company with TeamXtreme Racing. He drove in the last seven Northern Light Series races this season with TeamXtreme, with a best finish of 14th, after starting the season opener in Orlando, Fla., with Sinden Racing.

Two-time series runner-up Hamilton signed last week to drive for Treadway/Hubbard Racing for the entire 2001 Indy Racing Northern Light Series season.

"Im headed to Texas, the last race, with a feeling of relief," Hamilton said. "For the first time in my Indy Racing career, I know what I'll be doing next year. Thatll help me focus on the race.

"Im really excited about next year. With Treadway-Hubbard Racing, Ill be testing a few weeks after Texas. Im used to just showing up to the track and racing. Testing, especially through the winter, will allow me to get comfortable with the car and the crew. So when we show up at the first race in Phoenix, well be ready to race."

Hamilton also could be a contender for victory this weekend at Texas based on Mid Americas performance at the latest race. Lazier led twice for eight laps in The Belterra Resort Indy 300 on Aug. 27 at Kentucky Speedway before an engine problem dropped him to 20th.

"Theyre not funded like they need to be, but they put a good car on the racetrack, and that's important," Hamilton said of the Mid America team. "The team is excited to have me drive, and that makes it fun. Were optimistic that well have a good day at Texas."

In other Excite 500 entry news, Tri Star Motorsports has fielded an entry for rookie Zak Morioka. He will make his Indy Racing Northern Light Series debut in the #21 Revista Motors/Tri Star Motorsports

Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone as a teammate to Racesearch.com Rookie of the Year contender Jeret Schroeder. 1996-97 Indy Racing champion Tony Stewart is a co-owner of the Tri Star team.

Morioka, 21, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, dominated the U.S. F2000 series in 1997, winning the overall and oval crown championships. Other drivers in the series that year included 1999 Indianapolis 500 Bank One Rookie of the Year Robby McGehee, Northern Light Series rookie standout Sam Hornish Jr. and top CART prospect Buddy Rice.

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.