I spoke briefly today with Kevin Hamlin of Snohomish, Wash., a developmental driver with Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates Racing (CGFSR).
Hamlin will be driving the No. 22 Supercuts Dodge for Fitz Motorsports for Nationwide Series practicing and qualifying ahead of Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 200 in Nashville.
Fitz Motorsports is owned by Armando and Mimi Fitz, son-in-law and daughter of Felix Sabates.
Nationwide Series quaifying at Nashville is scheduled to be televised by ESPN2 at noon on Saturday, followed by the race at 4 p.m.
Michael Waltrip Racing developmental driver Josh Wise had driven the 22 in the past two races, finishing 19th at Dover and 24th at Charlotte.
Wise will be practicing and qualifying David Reutimann’s No. 99 Aaron’s Toyota for the Nashville race.
Reutimann is expected to make the trip from Pocono, where the Cup race is, to Nashville for the Nationwide race. If that case, Wise will return to the 22 car and Hamlin will not be in the race.
If, however, Reutimann can’t make the Nationwide race for some reason, Hamlin will keep his seat and run in Saturday’s race.
If that happens it would mark Hamlin’s 2008 NASCAR debut. Although he ran in several Nationwide and Truck series races last year — and recorded his first two top-10 finishes in NASCAR’s top-3 series — so far this season Hamlin has been a test driver for CGFSR.
When I talked to Hamlin he was actually sitting in the 22 car, getting measured for his seat and harness.
Hamlin said getting at least the chance to practice and qualify for another NASCAR team is good exposure, and he hopes it will lead to more opportunities to race.
I was actually following up on something with Hamlin when he told me about the chance to practice and qualify the 22 this weekend.
Hamlin said he has a line on driving in an upcoming ARCA race, on either Aug. 9 at Nashville or Oct. 3 at Talladega.
Although he couldn’t be more specific, Hamlin did say “This is with a team that has won races, and runs up front every week.”
The only hold up?
Money. The team wants Hamlin to come up with $50,000 in cash or sponsorship money to run the race.
Those familiar with upper-level racing know such a request is not unusual.
Hamlin said he will be looking for sponsorship opportunities, and he stressed no one company has to foot the bill.
“That’s why Roush-Fenway Racing has so many sponsors,” Hamlin said. “You get three or four companies that all work together, and they all go in on it.”
Hamlin added both races are scheduled to be broadcast live on SPEED, giving a further incentive to potential sponsors.
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