No Kodak moment for Bobby.

Bobby Hamilton became the third casualty of the NASCAR 'silly season' at Loudon last weekend when it was announced that he would split with Morgan-McClure Motorsports at the end of the 2000 after three disappointing years in the bright yellow machine.

Hamilton and team co-owner Larry McClure made the much-rumoured announcement on Friday at the New Hampshire International Speedway but the pair insisted that the move had not been in the pipeline for several weeks.

"All this happened Friday morning," said the driver, who is currently 31st in the Winston Cup points standings with just one top ten finish this year. "Everybody says this happened by design two or three weeks back, but we walked in yesterday morning and it just happened."

Unlike Chad Little and Geoffrey Bodine, who also lost their 2000 rides last week, Hamilton will remain with Morgan-McClure for the last eight races of the year although his plans are still unclear for the 2001 season. With few competitive rides up for grabs and lots of talented unemployed drivers currently searching for the right ride, Hamilton will have to act quickly if he wants to add to his current total of three career Winston Cup victories.

The team have yet to firm up their 2001 plans although McClure indicated that he would prefer a driver with several years of WC experience behind him as in the right hands, the #4 car is still a force to be reckoned with. Hamilton has won only one race in his three years with the team and the squad are no longer considered the threat it once was.

Favourites for the drive would be all the usual suspects, Little, Bliss and Musgrave although McClure did not rule out a driver from the Busch Series or the Truck Championship. Lesser categories have already spawned Andy Houston and Kurt Busch, both of whom have already sealed contracts for 2001 with Cal Wells and Jack Roush respectively.

As far as Hamilton's future is concerned, the rides at Ultra Motorsports, Andy Petree Racing, Travis Carter Motorsports and Joe Bessey Motorsports are all possibilities although none have the pedigree of his current seat. A lot also depends on whether Hamilton wants to stay with Chevrolet or move to a rival marque, namely Dodge who supply chassis to Hamilton's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. Hamilton's son, Bobby Jr is also making a name for himself in the Busch Grand National Series and Bobby may decide to take some time out to further his career.