AVONDALE, Arizona -- Burney Lamar held off a strong finish by Ken Schrader Sunday afternoon at Phoenix International Raceway to win the "Copper World Classic 75", the first race of the season for the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Southwest Series.
Starting on the inside of the second row, the 24 year old W. Sacramento, CA. driver went into second on lap 11 and took the lead on lap 18, which he never relinquished. Despite several caution flags closing up the 43 car field, Lamar was able to maintain his lead and at the end held off the NEXTEL Cup veteran, who had started 19th, by less than two car lengths. The win was Lamar's fourth in his four year career in the Southwest Series.
Having just signed a contract with NEXTEL Cup driver and Busch Series car owner, Kevin Harvick, Lamar couldn't have been happier to get the win, since Harvick was entered in the NASCAR Grand National West Series race that followed his. Lamar has signed to drive selected NASCAR Craftsman truck and West Series races during the upcoming season. "Not only winning at Phoenix, but having DeLana and Kevin Harvick come into victory lane and congratulate you, is way, way cool".
And what was the youngster thinking during the last few laps with Schrader right behind him? "I knew I had a good car, and I just kept telling myself to keep focused and hit my marks, there's not far to go. With that veteran that close behind you, especially at Phoenix, you never know what could happen. It worked".
Sundays win also marked the first Phoenix win for his crew chief, Mark Lundgren. Lundgren and Lamar came together last season, teaming up with well known car owners, Les and Sue DenHerder, of Bakersfield, CA., the owners of Victory Circle Chassis and Parts. In years gone by, although not on the same team, both Burney and Mark have come close at Phoenix, but this was their first time in victory lane. "Not only do I want to thank Mark and my team for a great car today, but also Les and Sue for giving me the opportunity to drive for them again in the Southwest Series".
Although Lamar will be driving for Harvick in the West and Craftsman truck Series, he will also
be driving the #1 Groeniger/HPS Mechanical/ Tri-C/Victory Circle Chassis/Brad Peters Motors 2004
Chevrolet that took him to a fourth place finish in last years Southwest Series point standings in several
Southwest events during the coming season.
