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 be returning to Showtime Speedway. It’s a track the series hasn’t visited often the past two seasons. At one time, it was a regular staple on the SSSS schedule. In addition, series officials will be experimenting with a new race format for the first time. The series will employ twin 25-lap feature events for the first time in series history.
For Davey Hamilton Jr., he has a lot riding on these events. He is currently in the midst of a 10-race Florida sprint car win streak.
The 10-race win streak dates back to October 8, 2022, and includes both winged and non-winged victories. It also includes a victory in the recent Dave Steele 125 on February 25.
Hamilton’s current win streak is something to take notice of. In the last 10 years, the longest win streak on pavement in Florida was five consecutive wins by Dave Steele in 2016. Troy DeCaire claimed four straight in 2019.
This weekend, Hamilton will face his toughest challenge yet if he wants to keep his win streak intact. All SSSS feature events are 40 laps in length and include double-file restarts.
The SSSS series uses a point average and it’s all but certain Hamilton will have to start in the rear in both events with only 25 laps to work with. In addition, he must use the same set of tires in both races.
“I’ve got a shorter number of laps. I’m definitely gonna have to hustle,” Hamilton said. “I go into every race not really expecting to get into the lead, but just see where things go, and go 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 had a nine-race win streak with Dave Steele at one point. Me and Todd work great together. We’re like peanut butter and jelly.
“Everything goes smoothly. My car owner Kirk Morgan gives me everything I need to run up front. I wanna keep it going. But I know this streak won’t last forever. But hopefully the streak won’t end this weekend.”