The news out of the Bobby Hamilton camp always sounded positive and determined, just like the man himself.

Which made Sunday’s news that Hamilton had lost his battle with head and neck cancer at age 49 all the more shocking.

Hamilton, who won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Memphis Motorsports Park in 2004, announced last spring that he was taking a leave of abscence from racing to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but he was determined to get back to the track.

The Nashville native might not have been the biggest star in NASCAR, but he was one of its greatest ambasadors.

Hamilton was a throwback. He started racing for a living at a young age. A race check from a short track was the way he was going to get his next meal, so he learned to win.

He was never one to mince his words. If he didn’t like something, he’d let you know.

Hamilton never lost his love of being in a race car, and he was always willing to help spread the gospel of horsepower.

When Memphis Motorsports Park unveiled its Elvis trophy, track officials knew they could count on Hamilton to help with the debut — especially since it included a trip to Graceland, one of his favorite places to visit.

In 2005, Hamilton came to MMP with his two-seater truck for a media ride along. I learned so much riding shotgun with Hamiton. I watched his feet and hands as we ripped around the track. Seeing the ballet of pedalwork contrast with the wrestling match at the steering wheel gave me an new perspective on what these drivers go through lap after lap.

At the end of the session, the kid in Hamilton came out. Hamilton rolled off the backstretch toward the garage area with the final media rider of the day, just like he’d done several times. Right before reacing the garage area, Hamilton made a quick zig, gunned the engine and went into victory dontus.

At the time, I was glad it wasn’t me, but now I’m sory it wasn’t.