Last year the NASCAR Winston West Series was treated to a preview of rising star, Johnny Borneman III. New to the series, but not to racing, Borneman was convincing and confident from the start and many veterans and fans watched impressed with the talent of this young man.
Borneman finished his first NASCAR Winston West race, the 2000 season-opener at Phoenix International Raceway, solidly in the top-ten. The next event he entered was at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and another top-ten, which was matched one week later when the series traveled to the California Speedway and he made it three for three.
Laguna Seca was the next race Borneman selected, a track his dad, Johnny Borneman Jr., had conquered and perhaps the most difficult of all the tracks the series competes on. It was there on the track with the signature corkscrew that the skills of the young driver shone the brightest. The team gave Borneman a car that he was not only able to lead the most laps with, but one that he almost drove to victory lane in. If not for a tire that went down in the final laps he may well have scored his first win, as it was he salvaged a podium finish. His final race in 2000 was Irwindale Speedway, just missing the pole, Borneman started second and led several laps when again tire problems bit the team.
The Borneman Motorsports team took time to test at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in preparation for the NAPA 300. They were pleased with the results and are looking for to the series' second race this Wednesday, February 28th. The team will stay after the event to meet the fans and hand out driver cards. It is your chance to meet not only this fine driver but also a number of the brightest stars in the West.
RacingWest: What are your goals for this season?
Johnny Borneman III: Rookie-of-the-Year, top-five finishes.
RW: How did the season-opener at Phoenix International Raceway go for you and the team?
JB: I had a flat only two laps into the race, so that kind of ended things for us.
RW: Have you had a chance to test at The Bullring in Las Vegas?
JB: We tested there a week ago with two cars,we were vary pleased with the way the car works.
RW: What are you expecting at the event and what do you think it will take to win? (What is the track like, anticipate what it will be like to pass, etc.)
JB: Patience, try to stay out of trouble and stay on the led lap.
RW: How do you feel now that the series is on one tire?
JB: It makes it the same for every one.
RW: Do you mind running with the Winston Cup drivers in a Winston West event?
JB: I don't mind as long as we all play by the same rules, it's fun to race with them and learn from them.
RW: Do you have a car or driver appearance scheduled at Vegas?
JB: I will be at my transporter after the race with driver cards for everyone.
RW: What is your favorite thing to do at Vegas when not busy with the car?
JB: Me and some of my crew have been known to gamble a little...OK every chance we get! Hey it's Vegas! We work hard so the chances are few and far between!
RW: What is your game-plan now that one race is down and your goals may have to be adjusted?
JB: Our game plans are the same, race hard try for top 5's and the wins will come. Most importantly we like to be able to roll a whole car into the transporter.
The Borneman Motorsports No. 8 NASCAR Winston West Series Team
Driver: Johnny Borneman III
Crew-Chief: Mike Harvick
Transport Driver: Dan Campbell
Spotter: John Borneman
The Crew! Don, Jim, Ken, Bill, Ben, Ricky, Haden, Claud, Eric, Dan, Scott, Gary, Don
The team has a new website "coming soon": bornemanmotorsports.com
