DATE: Saturday, August 30, 1997             TAG: 9708300585

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BOB ZELLER

DATELINE: DARLINGTON, S.C.                  LENGTH:   70 lines

NASCAR REPORT

One day last year, when Bobby Hamilton and Kyle Petty were having a chat, Petty said: ``I don't know what it is, man. But it seems like after three years, things go sour.''

That Hamilton said here Friday, is what has happened this season in his third year of driving the No. 43, STP Pontiac for Kyle's father, Richard Petty.

Hamilton and car owner Larry McClure announced Hamilton's move to the No. 4 Kodak Chevrolet Monte Carlo team during a press conference at Darlington Raceway. ``We just couldn't ever get on track,'' he said. ``We couldn't get real good runs. I think I found something better driving the Morgan-McClure Chevrolet.''

Hamilton said he thinks the effort on Petty's No. 43 Pontiac Grand Prix team was diluted by the team's efforts to help Kyle's new team.

``It sort of takes away from both ends of it,'' Hamilton said.

``Winning spoils you,'' McClure said. ``We want to get back to where we once were or maybe even better.''

McClure said he and Sterling Marlin are parting on good terms. He said Hamilton will take over beginning with the race in Japan this November. Martin wins Busch pole

Mark Martin, winner of five Busch Grand National races this year, will attempt to set a record of 32 all-time career Busch victories today after winning the top starting spot for the Dura-Lube 200.

Martin took the pole with a speed of 163.745 in his Winn-Dixie Ford. Jim Bown won the outside starting spot with a lap of 163.234 mph in a Chevrolet.

``It was a lucky lap,'' Martin said. ``We had a reasonable car, but when it came time for qualifying, we had it set up too loose for conditions. But I managed to hit all the spots just right with it.''

A 42-car field will start the race, with provisional starting spots awarded to Dale Shaw, Stevie Reeves, Randy Porter and Shane Hall. Chris Diamond, Rick Wilson and Bill Hoff missed the race, which starts at 1 p.m. today. Cope out, Irvan in

As expected, the No. 36 Skittles Pontiac team has released Derrike Cope as of the end of the season, and hired Ernie Irvan to drive the car for the 1998 season.

``He's among the most determined drivers ever,'' team manager Jay Frye said of Irvan. ``He can take a car to the front and he can win races.'' Irvan has 15 career victories.

Irvan said the team ``is a young team with tremendous potential. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to grow with them.'' Irwin's schedule set

Kenny Irwin, Jr., Ernie Irvan's replacement in the No. 28 Texaco Havoline Ford Thunderbird team, has embarked on an aggressive testing schedule and will run in five races this season.

With sponsorship from the toy maker Hasbro and cars from David Blair motorsports, Irwin will attempt to qualify next weekend at Richmond, as well as at Martinsville, Rockingham, Phoenix and Atlanta.''

``I probably didn't sleep a wink each night'' at Richmond, Yates said. ``That's how much excitement I have going into this deal and being able to give him a first-class opportunity and a veteran, proven car.''

Added Irwin: ``I was worn out after the first test. I would come in and they would put on new tires and I would go out until I couldn't drive anymore. Then I would come in and they would give me a glass of water and I'd go back out and do it again.''

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