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Out of work but not out of love: Burney Lamar's career has stalled, but his family is his priority(Sacramento Bee, The (CA) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) May 30--For the first time in his life, Burney Lamar has slowed down to reflect. "My whole life, all I ever did was race, race, race," the driver said. "It's been a really relaxing, easygoing year so far. But part of me still can't wait to get back on the racetrack." Unemployment has meant an extended honeymoon for the West Sacramento native. Lamar, 26, went from NASCAR sensation to out of work in what seemed like a seven-second pit stop. A year after making a huge splash in the Busch Series, the Sacramento State graduate is looking for a job in an ultratight market, squeezed out of his seat by a sponsor who wanted a big-name Nextel Cup veteran instead of a relative unknown. But don't feel sorry for Lamar. In December, he married supermodel Niki Taylor. "I'm having a lot of fun," he said by phone recently from his new home in Tennessee. "Right now, I'm just enjoying life, spending time with my family. Being able to spend time with them is great. Last year, I was on the road for 42 weeks." Last season in the No. 77 Chevrolet, Lamar looked like the hottest young driver ever to come out of the valley when he debuted in NASCAR's Busch Series. He had a contract with Kevin Harvick Inc., the racing team of another California prodigy. In the 2006 season opener at Daytona International Speedway, Lamar finished second behind teammate Tony Stewart, who raved about the rookie's ability. It was supposed to be a season of learning. After honing his skills on quarter-mile bullrings like Stockton 99 Speedway, Lamar graduated to NASCAR's superspeedways with creditable performances while swapping paint with established veterans. But it wasn't enough for his sponsor, Dollar General. "It's all about air time," Lamar said. "Every week, there are 25, 30 Cup drivers in the Busch race. Even if you run up front, the (TV) cameras are on the Cup guys." Owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick subbed Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte into the No. 77. Their results were no better than Lamar's midpack finishes. But the sponsor was happier. That left Lamar as the odd driver out. As he worked out an amiable split with Harvick, he had some other offers before this season but none that guaranteed any success. "I'm still very thankful for Kevin and DeLana for giving me the opportunity and all the experience," Lamar said. "It did a lot for my career. This is not an easy process." Lamar's situation is not unusual. The presence of so many Cup drivers in Busch races, which originally were designed to give up-and-coming drivers experience, has left most sponsors demanding Cup drivers. "Drivers aren't the problem -- it's the owners," said former Nextel Cup champion Terry Labonte, who has seen his son, Justin, struggle in Busch. "The owners feel pressure from the sponsors. Sure, it would be good for the young drivers (if fewer Cup drivers competed in Busch), but the Cup drivers add a lot to the show. Fans in the stands want to see the Cup guys. It just makes it pretty difficult (to succeed)." Lamar is waiting for mid-summer's silly season, when owners make wholesale changes and start hiring new drivers. Two or three months from now, he expects some cars to come his way. "I've got to be patient," he said. "I know I'll be back. We're working hard to get something put together for full time next year." For most of 2006, Lamar was atop the Busch Rookie of the Year standings before the driver switches cost him too many points. Off the track, he learned what it meant to be around-the-clock corporate spokesman for Dollar General, a major discount store chain. Before he ever raced the No. 77 Chevrolet, Lamar was making almost daily appearances for the retailer. That's where Lamar met his bride -- at an autograph session in Nashville. Lamar and Taylor, 32, were paired at a signing table in a NASCAR/country music charity event. They had a chance to chat and hit it off. He invited her to a race. Soon, Taylor became a regular at the track. Her twin sons thought it was cool. By September, the racer and the model were engaged. On Dec. 27 in La Jolla, the couple married in a fairytale ceremony covered exclusively by Us Weekly, the same magazine that featured Jeff Gordon's wedding a month before. They honeymooned in Tahiti. Taylor told the magazine it was love at first sight when they met in January. "I looked at Burney and said, 'This is the guy I'm going to marry.' " Taylor's twins, 12-year-old Jake and Hunter Martinez, are the sons of former Arena Football League player Matt Martinez. Before Lamar, Taylor dated Keith Urban, who later married Nicole Kidman. Taylor, a former Sports Illustrated model who has appeared on hundreds of magazine covers, was nearly killed in a 2001 car accident and has re-focused her life away from the camera. She owns a boutique near her home, oversees myriad fashion products under her own label and is active in charities. "She's cool," said Izzie Lamar, Burney's dad. "She's very polite, always waiting on you. She's not like some people with her nose way up in the air. She's a pretty mellow, down-to-earth person. I think that's what Burney appreciates most about her." Lamar and his new family spent spring break in Southern California with his parents. "We went all over the place -- Universal Studios, the Getty Museum, the boardwalk in Venice," Izzie Lamar said. "I told the kids to call me 'Uncle.' I'm too young to be Granddad." Burney has gotten involved with his wife's charity work, but he's continually amazed by her schedule. "She's on Tyra Banks' show today, Rachael Ray last week," he said. "She's still doing stuff for magazines. Shape (magazine) was shooting here at the house with her mom. She keeps very busy." Lamar would like to be that busy again, too. "I'm taking flying lessons," he said. "I'm getting my pilot's license so I can fly home when I'm back racing. ... "I know the right team is going to come along," he added. "I don't want to jump in a car just to be in a car. You need all the ingredients to succeed. I'm looking forward to getting in a good deal." To see more of The Sacramento Bee, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sacbee.com/. Copyright (c) 2007, The Sacramento Bee, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |