October 18, 2002

Ryan Hemphill Is Making The Most Of This Moment
By Troy Fletcher, TruckSeries.com Staff Writer

He has been given the opportunity of a lifetime.  And, Ryan Hemphill is doing everything he can to seize the moment.

See, just over a month ago, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner Bobby Hamilton tabbed the 20-year-old to drive his No. 4 Dodge for the remainder of the NCTS season.

"I tell you what this has been a wonderful experience," Hemphill said. "I have been down here (in Mount Juliet, Tenn.) with the team for a little over a month and things are really coming together."

Hemphill's right.

In his debut in the No. 4 truck at South Boston (Va.) Speedway Sept. 21, Hemphill and his team looked like veterans as he had a strong 10th-place finish.

Then, Sunday, Hemphill proved that result was no fluke as he led five laps and had a solid 14th-place performance at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  With a few laps remaining, Hemphill's No. 4 Bobby Hamilton Dodge suffered ignition box failure, dropping Hemphill down from 9th.

"The biggest adjustment I have been dealing with is just establishing team chemistry," Hemphill said. "I am the new guy and my crew has to get used to me and I have to get used to them, but I am really happy with the way things are going. And. I believe once we establish that team chemistry we can accomplish anything."

Hemphill's success so far is somewhat surprising because he was by no means a household name in the lower levels of NASCAR.

"I raced with my family team in Late Models, the RE/MAX Challenge Series and ASA," said Hemphill, who is from Apollo, Pa., about a half-hour from Pittsburgh. "We never ran one series fulltime, we just ran a bunch different series so I could get a lot of experience at different tracks and my family just offered me great support."

Actually, Hamilton initially noticed Hemphill in May when the NCTS paid a visit to Gateway International Raceway for the Ram Tough 200.

Hemphill was competing in the RE/MAX Challenge Series race at Gateway the same weekend.

"That is the first time I met Bobby Hamilton's organization," Hemphill said. "He had his No. 18 truck team pit my car in the RE/MAX race at Gateway and we won. So, we got off to a good start. Then, things just gradually progressed from there until I got behind the wheel at South Boston."

Although Hemphill is adjusting to the NCTS it hasn't been easy for him.

"The competition in the Truck Series is fierce, and I was shocked how hard these guys drive," he said. "There is no time to relax out there on the track. You have to be going 100 percent all of the time or someone will bump you and pass you."

These days, Hemphill is focusing on the final three races in the NCTS season.

"My main goal is keep getting consistent finishes," said Hemphill, who returns to action in the Truck Series Nov. 2 at California Speedway. "I would love to place in the top 10 in the final three races. I think that would help the team and I get noticed so we can get a primary sponsor for next year and then make a run at the rookie of the year in 2003."