BUSCH: Bobby Hamilton, Team Marines go to boot camp

The No. 25 Team Marines And Driver Bobby Hamilton, Jr. Prepare For The 2002 Season By Going To Boot Camp

Mooresville, NC (December 27, 2001) -- Ooh-Rah! The No. 25 Team Marines and driver, Bobby Hamilton, Jr., are getting ready for the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series season in a unique fashion. They are going to Marine Corps boot camp.

On January 9th-11th , Bobby Hamilton, Jr. and the No. 25 Team Marines will have the opportunity to experience first-hand, what it takes to become a United States Marine, when they attend three days of Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC. These three days will likely be the most physically and mentally challenging days any of them have ever experienced.

Hamilton, Jr. is ready for the challenge. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Every time you turn on the television, you see stories about the Marines in Afghanistan, risking their own lives for our country. Personally, I am honored to have the chance to experience first-hand the training these men and women go through and the challenges they must overcome to become Marines."

Master Sargeant Ronald Turner, Headquarters Marine Corps Recruiting, feels the experience will be one the team will never forget. "The mental, moral and physical changes that occur during the 12 weeks of Marine Corps boot camp are so significant to the development of character, that Marines who experienced boot camp more than 50 years ago still have vivid, indelible memories. It is our hope that the Team Marines will leave Parris Island with similar memories."

Ed Rensi, who retired as CEO of McDonalds in 1998 to become owner of Team Rensi Motorsports, feels that this will be a great bonding experience for his team. "The United States Marine Corps are experts when it comes to team-building. This is going to be an incredible experience for the team and I think they will leave Parris Island with a renewed since of what teamwork is really about."

Hamilton, Jr. agrees. "Beginning a new season with a new team and a new crew chief is always a little difficult in the beginning. I think this experience will give us the chance to overcome those first feelings of awkwardness and really learn how to work as a team to achieve our mutual goal, which of course is to win races. I can't think of a better way to gear up for the upcoming season."

-TM-