Orlando Sentinel

Burkett's Goal to Reach NASCAR Ranks

photo provided by Jason Burkett

Jason Burkett of Longwood won Late Model rookie-of-the-year honors at Volusia County Speedway this year. But Burkett, 18, doesn't yet feel anything like an old pro. "I'm still learning all the time," Burkett said. "I will never be a veteran." Using his older brother Jeff's hand-me-down car, Burkett finished fourth in the points race at Volusia County Speedway this season. That, though, was somewhat of a disappointment. "I ran the first six weeks without a problem and was in the top five every week," Burkett said. "Then I missed one night (with an engine problem). That's how I fell back in the points. Overall, this year went pretty good. I only had a couple of accidents and my worse finish was eighth.

PIT BULL: Oldsmobile's new Motorsport Aurora V8 had a successful test session at Daytona International Speedway last week. Drivers Irv Hoerr and Darin Brassfield tested a competition-prepared engine in one of Brix Racing's IMSA GTS cars. The pair completed 150 laps during seven hours of track time....The rubber match for the NASCAR Winter Heat manufacturers' bragging rights will be played on Jan. 8 when the Super Truck Series visits Tucson Raceway Park. PJ. Jones gave Ford a victory of Dec. 11 with a come-from-behind triumph in the $37,200 pickup truck race. Jones finished second to Rick Carelli and Chevrolet in the first race....Scott Lagasse of St. Augustine has signed a series of one-race deals to drive a Super Truck co-owned by Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon.He will drive the DuPont truck all 20 races in the series that begins the 1995 season on Feb. 5....Winston Cup testing begins at Daytona International Speedway with the Ford teams on Jan. 3-5.

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PERSONAL INFORMATION

Home Town: Sanford, FL.

Birthday: August 19, 1976

Wife: Audra

Children: Gavin

Height: 5'-9"

Hobby: Riding Motorcycles

CAREER HIGHLIGTS

1993 - New Smyrna Speedway rookie of the year and second in points, Limited Late Model division.

1994 - Volusia County Speedway Rookie of the year and tenth in points in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series Late Model Stock division.

1995 - Volusia County Speedway Rookie of the year and fourth in points in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series Super Late Model division.

1996-2000 - Worked as Car Chief and tire changer for Ronnie Burkett on the Hooters Cup Series and the NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series.

CAR INFORMATION

Make: 2001 Ford, laurus

Motor: Boyd Racing Engines

Chasse: Burkett Racing, Inc.

TEAM INFORMATION

Car Owners: Ron and Patty Burkett

Crew Chief: Jeff Burkett

Car Chief: Kennith Underhill (Pine)

Scorer: Patty Burkett

Crew: Ronnie Burkett, Don Burkett, Tommy Koury, Terry Sloan, Mike Wells (Hollywood)

Orlando Sentinel

Burkett's Goal to Reach NASCAR Ranks

Burkett has a new car and a new venture. He is going to try to win rookie of the year in the Florida Pro Series.

"Hopefully, this will be my biggest year", said Burkett, who graduated from Lake Mary High School last year. "Hopefully I'll go out and finish in the top five."

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