Kevin Hamlin and MacDonald Motorsports Show Support for the Carolina Hurricanes at Lowe’s Motor Speedway

Concord, N.C. (May 18, 2009) – MacDonald Motorsports announced today that Kevin Hamlin will again be at the wheel of the No. 81 D.H. Griffin Dodge for the Carquest Auto Parts 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Saturday. In addition, the team will show their support for local NHL favorite, the Carolina Hurricanes as they begin the Eastern Conference playoff round against Pittsburgh.

Hamlin making his fourth start this season in the D.H. Griffin Dodge is looking forward to working with the MacDonald Motorsports team again this week, “I’m glad to be back in the D.H. Griffin Dodge and working with the MacDonald Motorsports team again this week at Charlotte. It’s beneficial to work with the same team on consecutive weeks and be able to find our groove. The team has been working hard in the shop to make some changes to the car; I’m looking forward to racing under the lights at Lowe’s on Saturday night.”

D.H. Griffin Companies will again be the primary sponsor for the MacDonald Motorsports Dodge. The national company has been providing services to the construction and construction related industries for over 50 years. They provide services in all areas of demolition, infrastructure, site development and construction.

The No. 81 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge will carry the logo of the Carolina Hurricanes for the Carquest Auto Parts 300 supporting the Hurricanes as they face off this week against the Pittsburgh Penguins vying for the Eastern Conference Championship. Hamlin noted, “I look forward to supporting the Hurricanes on their playoff run and wish them luck this week against the Penguins.”

Randy MacDonald, owner of MacDonald Motorsports said, “I have been going to the Hurricanes games since they arrived in Greensboro in 1997.

When Scott Walker scored the game winning goal in Thursday’s dramatic 3-2 game we had to incorporate the ’Canes into the race at Lowes Motor Speedway.” MacDonald played hockey as a youth in Canada and two years ago was inducted into the Clarington Sports Hall of fame for his hockey accomplishments including being part of the Junior Hockey for the Championship winning team, the Bowmanville Eagles in 1981. "The passion for the sport of hockey is universal and the Carolina Hurricanes are delighted that Kevin Hamlin and MacDonald Motorsports are supporting their current run to the Stanley Cup. The similarities between the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NHL are evident with regards to the sportsmanship, fan dedication, corporate support and determination of the athletes," said Ben Aycock, Director of Marketing and Brand Development for the Hurricanes.

The MacDonald Motorsports entry will also add the Heart of a Champion Foundation logo to the No. 81 Dodge. The Heart of a Champion Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers educators an innovative and effective approach to developing character in the lives of their students.

Their mission is to address the current crisis of character in our nation by reaching the hearts of students with engaging stories of individuals from the world of sports, history, the arts and other areas of life.

The D.H. Griffin Dodge is currently in 25th position in owner points after ten of 35 races of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Season. The entry is 80 points outside of the top 20.

On track activities for the Carquest Auto Parts 300 begin Thursday with two practice sessions at Lowe’s Motor Speedway at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. with live broadcast on SPEED. Qualifying for the race will begin Saturday at 3:45 p.m. broadcast live on Speed at 3:30 p.m. The NASCAR Nationwide Series race from Lowes Motor Speedway begins Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a live broadcast on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.

For more information about MacDonald Motorsports visit macdonaldmotorsports.com. For Kevin Hamlin click kevinhamlin.com.
Visit carolinahurricanes.com for tickets and scheduling for the Carolina Hurricanes.