FORT WORTH, TX – NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kevin Hamlin was 14th fastest in qualifying Thursday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway. “It’s good to rebound from the tough weekend we had at Bristol with a good day in practice and a good qualifying lap,” says the driver of the D.H. Griffin/Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd. #81 Dodge, “I really appreciate the effort, hard work and long hours the crew put into the D.H. Griffin Dodge over the last two weeks.” Hamlin ran the 1.5 mile track in 29.227 seconds at 184.76mph putting him just over a half second behind pole sitter and last years Texas winner Kyle Busch (28.685 at 188.25mph). Qualifying 14th was the best ever showing for the #81 Dodge since its debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008.

Hamlin, who is competing in only his second race of the 2009 season, will start on the outside of row seven when the green flag drops. “I look forward to getting back on the track for the race on Saturday.” The event in Texas is race number five of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.
(with files from macdonaldmotorsports.com)

O’REILLY 300 (200 laps/300 miles)
> Thursday, April 2nd
Practice Session #1 – 31st fastest
Practice Session #2 – 16th fastest
Qualified 14th – 29.227seconds at 184.76mph

> Saturday, April 4th
UPDATE: Hamlin drives the D.H. Griffin/Northern Provincial Pipelines #81 Dodge to a 31st place finish at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday. Kyle Busch was the winner of the O’reilly 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.