Colo. Spgs., CO The "Ray Judy 150" NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series race at Tucson Raceway Park Saturday afternoon will determine who wins the "Rookie of the Year" title. Going into the event, Scott Brandt, of Tucson, leads 21 year old Burney Lamar, of W. Sacramento, CA. by one point. If Scott finishes one ookie position ahead of Burney, he wins it. If Burney finishes two positions ahead of Scott, he wins it. If Burney finishes one rookie position ahead of Scott, they tie., but Burney would be ahead of Scott in the overall Series points standings, and he would win the title. You can't get much closer than that.
Even though Burney has previously raced on the 3/8's mile oval, it was in a sprint car. But the youngster says he feels good about his chances because, "My car owner, Mike Bonicelli, has been there, and done well. He knows how to set up a car for that track, and if I can keep it off the wall, and out of trouble, we have as good a chance as anybody for a top finish. I'm looking forward to it".
Saturdays race will of course mark the end of the 2001 season for the Bonicelli - Lamar duo. While it hasn't been exactly what they hoped for, neither has it been all bad. Burney has qualified the WaveShield - Western Funding - AmeriSuites Pontiac in the top 10 in 11 of the 15 Series races run this year: has one top 5 and 6 top 10 finishes and is 9th in the overall Series point standings.
Asked how he felt about the season, Bonicelli said, "Too many times "racing luck" just didn't go our way. As a rookie, Burney has done a good job for us, but I really thought we'd do better".
It all comes to a close Saturday afternoon, and with a little of that luck, they might wind up with a "Rookie of the Year" title.
