Burney Lamar
West Sacramento-native Burney Lamar began racing go-karts at the age of five and went on to earn 25 go-kart track championships in addition nine International Karting Federation Regional championships by the age of 15.
In 1997, Lamar began competing in stock cars. He finished 11th in track point standings at California’s Stockton 99 Speedway his first season. That same year, 16-year-old Lamar became the youngest driver to win both a Trophy Dash and a heat race. Throughout the next couple of seasons, Lamar raced on a number of tracks along the West Coast and won the NASCAR California Shell Oil Tri-Track late model championship.
In 2000, Lamar tried his hand in the USAC Western States Sprint Car Series, capturing seven top-five finishes, eleven top-ten finishes and set fast time twice in his first season. He finished out the year third in point standings and was named Rookie of the Year.
Lamar’s next stop was the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division – Southwest Series. He began racing in the series in 2001, finishing ninth in point standings and winning another Rookie of the Year title. The next year, Lamar finished second in the series on the strength of two wins, five top-fives, seven top-tens and five poles. He won both the Bud Pole Award for most poles and the Gatorade Frontrunner Award for leading the most race laps during the season. Lamar made it three-for-three, finishing in the top-ten in points once again in the season following.
Lamar was contracted by Kevin Harvick, Incorporated in 2005 as a developmental driver. Burney competed in a limited number of NASCAR Grand National Division West Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series races for the organization. He kick-started his year with a win in the Copper World Classic 75 at Phoenix International Raceway in January and went on to win two West Series races for KHI.
Lamar finished 2nd only to his teammate Tony Stewart in his first start in the NASCAR Busch Series at Daytona in February 2006. Driving for KHI for a partial season in 2006 he was a contender for Rookie of the year. Being at the helm of the #77 Dollar General Chevrolet proved to be one of his greatest learning experiences.
The year 2006 brought new experiences to Burney Lamar, racing with the best of the best in NASCAR and a chance meeting that changed his personal life. In January 2006 the charity event Sound and Speed in Nashville, TN lead to Lamar being paired at an autograph table with Nashville resident and Supermodel, Niki Taylor . This lead to finding the best teammate in life for Lamar. The two were married in December 2006. Lamar is actively supporting such charities as Victory Junction Gang Camp, Sound and Speed, as well as serving as a Member of the Celebrity Cabinet for the American Red Cross. His work continues within the NASCAR Nationwide Series and he is excited to return to competitive racing.
