On Monday, the NASCAR racing community remembered one of its own and one of its champions, Bobby Hamilton, who died from cancer on Sunday at his home in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.  Almost to a person, his competitors, friends and track operators remembered a man that was a fierce competitor and sometimes a gruff taskmaster, but also a devoted family man and a compassionate friend.

Robbie Loomis, crew chief for Hamilton's first Cup Series victory
"I won my first race with Bobby at Phoenix. The neatest thing about Hamilton was he kept the fun in racing. We had just as much fun probably through the bad times as when we won, [we just] enjoyed it more when we won. I remember the night he won. He went back to the hotel and ordered pizza and was happy as could be.

"Hamilton was never about the TV or interviews. He got in there and did his deal. I think that was the neatest part about it. A lot of drivers come in nowadays and try to emulate someone's style or they try to wear long hair or short hair or sideburns. Hamilton just came in and stayed true to himself and never wavered from that.

"Hamilton was a unique guy. He was special. He did his deal, and I think if you look at the way his cancer went it was just like the way he lived his life. He did it quietly and nobody knew a lot about what was going on. He just did his deal. Now he's up there in heaven probably thinking he's glad it's over with."

Jimmy Elledge, Hamilton's crew chief for his 2001 Talladega victory
"Bobby really meant a lot to me. He's the guy I won my first race with and so far it's still my only win. Bobby taught me a lot about a lot of things. When he came to the team in 2001 that team was two years old and he came in and really embraced the guys.

"He really had some neat qualities. He came over every week and spent the day with us and took us to lunch and stuff. He was a real solid figure that that team needed at the time, and I needed, too. He'd calm me down when I'd get upset.

"It's a huge loss, but you just never know. A couple years ago he was the champion, then he's diagnosed with cancer and bam, it's done. I hate it for the whole family. He got a special treat with his little granddaughter. When Dale [Earnhardt] passed away I know how I felt that my kids never got a chance to know him. The time he had with his granddaughter was precious, and that's the way you've got to look at it."

Sterling Marlin, Nextel Cup driver and Tennessee native
"Bobby was a great guy and a good friend. This sport is really going to miss him. He was a hard, clean racer and a really talented driver. We started racing right about the same time and he was a fierce competitor. He knew what he wanted to do and he made it happen.

"But at the same time he'd give anyone the shirt off his back. He was a sincere man that genuinely cared about people. We flew a lot of miles together to and from races and test sessions and made some good memories together. Everyone in the racing world will miss him."

Joe Nemechek, Nextel Cup driver and former teammate
"It's hard to put into words how you feel when something like this happens. It's just hard to believe. It seems like yesterday I was helping to push Bobby to victory at Talladega back in '01 [2001 Talladega 500].

"It hits close to home when something like this happens. It's like when I lost my brother [John Nemechek, after a Craftsman Truck Series accident in 1997] -- anytime you're close to someone and you know them well it just makes your heart hurt.

"Bobby was a heckuva racecar driver. He was a family man and loved his kids and his grandkids. It's a sad time. He'll be missed, but we'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers."

Mark Martin, Nextel Cup driver
"Bobby was one of the most down to earth people that I have ever been around. He treated everyone the same no matter who you were or what you did. He was just a really good guy.

"He was a very unique person and he was a great competitor on the racetrack, and it's just a huge loss for everyone in the racing family and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

Grant ####, president, Talladega Superspeedway, where Hamilton scored his fourth and final Cup Series victory
"Bobby Hamilton was a true racer, an 'old school' racer, and his contributions to NASCAR over the years encompassed much more than statistics in a history book.

"Bobby will always be remembered at Talladega Superspeedway for his exciting win here in 2001. In a race that was caution-free for [its entire] 188 laps, he secured his fourth and final win and brought Andy Petree his first victory as a car owner in the series.

"He made quite an impact on the sport, as well as the people he touched on a personal level and will certainly be missed. We will continue to keep the Hamilton family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

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