Davey Hamilton Jr. on the winning track at Showtime Speedway. (Photo by David Sink)
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – When the BG Products Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series returns to action on April 29, there will be a few changes.
The series will return to Showtime Speedway. It’s a track the show hasn’t revisited much in the past two seasons. It used to be an integral part of the SSSS program. In addition, series officials are experimenting with a new race format for the first time. The series will use two 25-round feature events for the first time in series history.
For Davey Hamilton Jr. he has a lot to do with these events. He is currently in the midst of a 10-race Florida Sprint Car winning streak.
The 10-race win streak dates back to October 8, 2022 and includes both winged and unwinged victories. That includes a win at the recent Dave Steele 125 on February 25.
Hamilton’s current winning streak is something to consider. In the past 10 years, the longest winning streak on tarmac in Florida was five straight wins by Dave Steele in 2016. Troy DeCaire had four straight wins in 2019.
This weekend, Hamilton will face his toughest challenge yet if he is to keep his winning streak intact. All SSSS feature events are 40 rounds long and include restarts in two files.
The SSSS series uses a points average and it’s all but certain that Hamilton will have to start from the back in both events with just 25 laps to work with. In addition, he has to use the same set of tires in both races.
“I have a shorter lap count. I definitely need to hurry,” Hamilton said. “I go into every race not really expecting to be in the lead, just seeing where things are going and aiming for the pass.
“I’ve never had a streak like this in my entire career. It feels great,” Hamilton continued. “My crew chief, Todd Schmidt, once had a nine-race winning streak with Dave Steele. Me and Todd work great together. We’re like peanut butter and jelly.
“Everything is going smoothly. My car owner Kirk Morgan gives me everything I need to be up front. I want to keep going. But I know this streak won’t last forever. But hopefully the streak doesn’t end this weekend.”
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