KEVIN HAMLIN - 06/17/1959
Hamlin began his racing career by accident when he had a lawn care business in Kalamazoo, Mi. Another Michigan racer named Butch Miller was a client of his. One day Butch was working on his race car. Hamlin stopped his mower and started up a conversation with Miller as he was working. Miller needed some help so Hamlin lent a hand. That was the beginning Hamlin's racing career. Miller and Hamlin worked together racing in the ASA series winning two series championships as driver and crew chief. In 1990, Miller and Hamlin moved south to the hotbed of auto racing, Charlotte, North Carolina. Hamlin worked for Travis Carter's race team and immediately showed he had what it took to be in NASCAR. Hamlin took over full time crew chief duties working for Richard Jackson and driver
Rick Mast in 1994. Theduo didn't post a win, but Mast did drive his way to a second and three third place finishes; with four Top 5 and 18 Top 10 finishes during a three year span. Hamlin joined Richard Childress Racing in 1997 after Richard Jackson closed his shop. Hamlin was the leader of RCR's second team with Rookie driver Mike Skinner. RCR's first team was the famous #3 Chevrolet that Dale Earnhardt took to six NASCAR championships. After experiencing a disappointing start to both RCR's team in 1998, owner Richard Childress knew he had to do something. Childress decided he needed to swap his two crew chiefs in hopes that the chemistry between the two chiefs and drivers would help the teams turn the corner towards success. Hamlin went from working with a rookie driver to calling the shoots for the man known as the "Intimidator". The teams didn't produce any wins, but they turned the corner and showed promise as the season came to a close. In 1999 Earnhardt would get three wins including both races at Talladega, and one one at Bristol. 2000 produced two more victories, and a second place finish in the Cup points. Things were looking bright for 2001. But on the final lap at Daytona; Dale Earnhardt crashed and suffered fatal injuries. Kevin Harvick was immediately brought up from the Xfinity series to fill the seat of Earnhardts car, and Harvick would win with Hamlin at the helm in Harvick's third start. He would also win again at Chicagoland that season. Hamlin and Harvick paired up again in 2002, but mid-season was moved to be crew chief for Robby Gordon who also drove for Childress. In 2003 the Gordon/Hamlin duo clicked and Gordon got two wins; sweeping the road course events that season. The pair split and Hamlin found himself as crew chief for four different drivers in 2004. He headed up Jeff Burtons team in 2005, and the team of Dave Blaney in 2006 and part of 2007. His final season as a crew chief was in 2008 as head wrench for Brian Vickers. For his career Hamlin had 9 CUP wins; five with Earnhardt and two each with Gordon and Harvick.
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