Colo. Spgs., CO - A couple of months ago Matt Crafton picked up the biggest share of the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series point fund money, and a trophy, as the Series champion. MK Kanke got fourth place money. Burney Lamar didn't get hardly anything because he finished 43rd in the final point standings, although he drove in only four races. Shortly thereafter, MK decided he wanted to do more racing and drive for someone in California instead of Colorado. So he and Mike Bonicelli shook hands and went their separate ways.
As many Southwest Series champions seem to do, Matt got himself a Craftsman Truck Series ride for 2001. MK got himself another Southwest Series ride for 2001. Burney wrote a letter and sent a resume and got himself a ride for 2001.
Now MK and Mike didn't do too bad in their four years together. 8 wins. 9 Busch Poles. 24 top ten finishes in 41 starts in some of the toughest competition uncle NASCAR has to offer in their touring divisions. Elevated MK into a tie for third place in the all-time Southwest Series wins department and put him ahead in the number of all-time Series Busch Poles won. Sorry about that, Mr. Hornaday.
Unless you happen to be a fan is his, you probably don't know much about Burney Lamar. Mike didn't either. Until he got a letter and resume.
Burney's a whopping 20 years old. Has 25 go-kart championships throughout the country to his credit. Won the California NASCAR Shell-Paul Oil Tri-State stock car championship in 1999. Climbed into a 650 horsepower 1400 pound sprint car last year and had 7 top five and 10 top ten finishes. Two quick times. Finished third in the point standings and took home the Rookie of the Year trophy. In the USAC Western States Sprint Car Series.
In 15 races. Against Davey Hamilton, Tony Hunt, Jimmy Sills and like that. Pretty good company.
He and his dad, Izzie, and his grandfather, Clyde, put together a stock car and went to Phoenix International Raceway last February 6th. So did 76 others. Burney qualified 10th. Finished 13th.
Guess where Burney Lamar is going to be February 4th, 2001? P. I. R.. Driving a Bonicelli Racing Team
Pontiac Grand Prix #87.
