Sadler-Hamilton tabs Allen to drive 95 car at Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Bobby Hamilton Jr. announced that 2007 Craftsman Truck Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Willie Allen will pilot the No. 95 Dodge for Sadler-Hamilton Racing during select NASCAR Nationwide Series events in 2008, beginning with this week's Pepsi 300 (2 p.m. ET Sat., ESPN) at Nashville Superspeedway.

Allen

Hamilton recently became a co-owner of the Nashville-based team that celebrates its 25th anniversary this season.

"My goals for this year are to run four or five Nationwide races with Willie as our driver," Hamilton said. "I sat down with our crew chief, Danny Gill, and looked at available drivers and Willie was a great fit for our project. Next year, we hope to run 15-25 Nationwide races and a full Camping World East schedule."

Allen, a Nashville native, made his debut in the 95 car in the season opener at Daytona, finishing 29th. Besides races at Nashville and Daytona, current plans have Allen driving at other venues such as Memphis and Talladega, along with the Nashville ARCA and Camping World events.

"It is an honor to drive for Sadler-Hamilton Racing," Allen said. "The team has such a great history in NASCAR. Earl Sadler and Bobby Hamilton Jr. are very passionate about the sport and very competitive. It is going to be a lot of fun driving in my hometown of Nashville. I am very excited and thrilled to have this great opportunity."