PERSISTENCE FINALLY PAYING OFF FOR LEE BURNETT IN PRO STOCK RANKS

For four arduous and demanding season’s, second generation driver Lee Burnett from Waterloo had tried to find the way to victory lane the way his father, Wally "Full Bore" Burnett had done so many times in his legendary racing career. Although finding minimal success in demolition derbys and a short stint in the Enduro class in 1995, Lee wanted to follow closer in his father’s footsteps in a true racing situation, which he found in the Pro Stocks. Finally, on July 8, 2000, Lee Burnett broke through the much cherished barrier many drivers only dream of by earning his first career victory behind the wheel of a stock car.

"That victory that night was just a dream come true for me. Although I had taken a checkered flag once before in a consolation event at Rolling Wheels during a Mr. DIRT Pro Stock event, this first feature win at Canandaigua was the greatest feeling in the world. I was so focused as I sat on the line to hit the speedway that night and I said to myself before I went out that I was going to win that night," Burnett explained. "It felt like it took 10 years to complete the last lap because there were 2 cautions on the final circuit, but when I knew I was going to finally cross that line as the winner, I was pumping my fist in the air exiting turn 4. It was the ultimate thrill seeing my dad run down the front stretch screaming proudly as he came down to victory lane!"

This victory was one that almost never occurred as less than a year prior to this (July 23, 1999), Lee had been involved in a very serious traffic accident that almost claimed his life. He would fall asleep at the wheel of his pickup after being switched to 3rd shift which resulted in his pickup flipping over and with nobody in sight, making it necessary for Lee to climb out of the passenger window which was almost impossible as the roof was caved in so badly. He was originally sent home from the emergency room by doctors who said he was fine only to find out the next day he in fact had internal injuries (lacerated spleen) causing internal bleeding. Lee would be restricted to bed
rest to heal and end up missing 5 weeks of racing.

"We had just started to show what we were really made of as I was in the top 5 in points at that time and so close to my first feature win. Of course, that was all changed in a hurry due to my accident," Lee told me.

Now in his 5th season behind the wheel of a Pro Stock, the 30 year old construction worker is once again making strides to be a top 5 contender in the points battle and a threat to claim another victory in the full fendered ranks. Last season after capturing his first career victory, Lee finished off with an average finish of 8th while finishing 5th in the points standings. This season with 2 runner-up finishes as his best to his credit, he is averaging a 9th place finish while sitting at the time of this writing 7th in the standings but in a very tight battle that could see Burnett make a huge jump in the standings in the event another competitor or competitors have a bad night. He also currently sits 23rd in the Mr. DIRT Pro Stock series despite a bad finish at Rolling Wheels where he would have finished in the top 5 if not for a shredded tire and not traveling to Gasport for stop #3.

Burnett competes in 2001 behind the wheel of his John Howard powered 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix with the #94 prominently and proudly displayed. His sponsors include Silver Creek Golf Club, F.A.K. Incorporated, C&C Automotive, Uncle Duke, Finger Lakes Bowl, Millsy’s Tavern, Mike & Chrissy Young, Amy’s Checkered Flag, Paine Motorsports, J.B. Mulligan Paving & Concrete, and Shaffer Collision. His dedicated pit crew consists of his dad, Wally Burnett, Jim McMillen, Dave Hefferon, and Gene Borries.

"Our goals for 2001 are to get a couple of feature wins which I really think we can do and try to finish in the top 5 in points at the completion of the season at Canandaigua," Lee explained. "I will also definitely follow a lot more of the Mr. DIRT Pro Stock series events as the season winds down with the exception of Lebanon Valley and Syracuse. Lebanon Valley is just too far for us and I am not crazy about the money we have to spend to compete at "The Moody Mile" so we’ll skip those."

"As for future goals, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to drive an open wheel car, but the cost factor makes it impossible for me to make that move unless somebody offered me a ride, but there aren’t too many of those out there. Until then, I will stick with the Pro Stock to stay in the sport of racing," Burnett continued.

"I do know I have to especially give thanks to my Mom & Dad for being so supportive of my racing career. I wasn’t old enough to remember most my dad’s racing so I can’t say his career made a huge impact on my decision to become involved. All I know is that I got tired of going and just watching in the stands so I decided to get behind the wheel and drive myself. I wish I had started sooner, but then I would have missed my athletic competition in school so I’m happy with my decisions," Burnett summarized.