According to Jayski's site, The switch might be happening earlier than thought, starting this weekend:
Despite recent pronouncements that such a deal would be unlikely, it now appears NASCAR Busch Series driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. will get an early start in his Nextel Cup ride with PPI Motorsports for next season. Barring last minute disapproval from PPI's sponsor, Procter & Gamble [Tide], Hamilton Jr. should take over the driving duties for the #32 Tide Chevrolet beginning this weekend at California Speedway.
If that happens, anyone who picks Craven this weekend will get the points scored by Bobby Hamilton Jr, and next week Hamilton Jr. will be added to the driver selection list with a salary of 10k, replacing Craven. No word on if Craven will get another ride yet this season or not.
HICKORY, NC -- PPI Motorsports has announced that Bobby Hamilton, Jr. will assume driving duties for its No. 32 entry in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series starting with this weekend's event at California Speedway.
Ricky Craven will return to the No. 32 entry for one more race, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at New Hampshire International Speedway held on September 19, 2004.
"We are very grateful Ricky Craven chose to allow us the opportunity to get a head start on the 2005 season and let us put Bobby Hamilton, Jr. behind the wheel of the No. 32 car. This will give Bobby Jr. and the team a chance to work together for the remaining events to build a foundation for next season. We are also very excited to be taking Ricky back to New Hampshire this fall," said owner Cal Wells III.
Mike Beam will continue to serve as crew chief for the remainder of the 2004 season. Harold Holly, who was hired to serve as crew chief for Hamilton, Jr. in 2005 for the No. 32 team, will also play a role in Hamilton, Jr.'s transition with PPI Motorsports this season.
"Harold has already made considerable contributions to next year's program," Wells said. "We had announced previously that Harold and Bobby Jr. would start testing under the PPI Motorsports banner, and Harold has been working on building cars for Bobby Jr. in preparation. We understand Harold has obligations to his current employer and do not want to distract him from his duties. However, Harold will be atop the pit box on race day to acclimate both himself and Bobby Jr. to the organization."
Hamilton, Jr. has 20 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup starts to date, including six in the No. 09 car during the 2004 season.
PPI Motorsports, based in Hickory, N.C., fields the No. 32 Tide Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Since joining the series in 2000, the team has earned two wins, three pole positions, ten top fives and 20 top tens. The team also owns multiple titles and victories in off-road and open-wheel racing and will celebrate its 25th year in racing in 2005.
