---

Burks Enjoying View at the Top of Bombers

Chuck Corder

Just 18, Brandon Burks finds himself in uncharted waters.

He’s happy to be swimming in them, though.

When the Butler U-Pull-It Bombers continue their season Friday at Five Flags Speedway, Burks will have the bull’s-eye on the bumper of his orange No. 12.

Joining the Bombers (20 laps) will be one of the deepest Pro Late Model fields all season for the Allen Turner Tucson 100, Super Stocks (25 laps) and Sportsmen (20 laps).

The pit gate opens at 2 p.m. Friday and passes run $25. The grandstands open at 5 p.m. Friday and admission is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free.

Burks, who is in his fifth season running Bombers, took over the points lead after collecting his second win of the year July 8.

If the 2010 Milton High School graduate feels any added pressure atop the standings, he’s doing a great job to hide it.

“I’m not gonna go and race any different,� said Burks, whose father John and several friends help him turn wrenches on his car. “If I get lucky and win a championship, that’s great. If not, it wasn’t meant to be. I wanted to win every single race I can. I wanna bring the trophies home and show where all the hard work goes to.

“When I get to the track Friday, I’m gonna run it like I would any other regular race.�

Burks wants to make sure he doesn’t do anything to disrupt what already has been a career year so far dating back to the end of 2010.

After battling car troubles last year en route to a fourth-place finish, he got in a new car for the Snowball Derby and finished fourth.

“I was real happy with (the Derby),� Burks said. “I thought we had a better car, but I was happy to come from the back and stay in the top 5 when all the wrecks were happening right in front of us.�

He has parlayed that into unprecedented success for himself.

Burks’ latest win came via a disqualification when Curtis Faircloth refused to sell his motor at the technical inspection station after his sixth win of the season. Faircloth, the previous points leader, was fined and will be suspended for Friday’s race.

Burks’ first career official win came June 10 when he took the lead late in the race and held off Gary Goodwin.

“That was amazing,� said Burks, who currently leads Goodwin by just 11 points. “The only bad thing about the race was Curtis got wrecked outta of it. He’s the fastest, so he’s the one I wanted to beat. But, I was lucky enough to win and it meant a lot.�

Burks has great respect for Faircloth, a lightning rod for both praise and criticism from fellow Bombers drivers.

“I get along great with Curtis,� Burks said. “I’ve been to his house outside of the track and we talk on the phone all the time. I think he’s a good racer. I haven’t had any trouble with him.

“You know, I don’t know if people know, but the time he wrecked, his steering wheel came off. In a way, it was a blessing he got turned around because he was headed to the wall straight on.�

With Faircloth parked Friday, Burks hopes he is headed to make the most of his opportunity with the points lead firmly in his grasp.

“I’m gonna try not to race any different,� he said. “The biggest thing for us is to be consistent and not tear our car up. I’ve seen how starting in the back can change the whole season for you. Hopefully, we’ll get a good starting spot and finish in the top 3.�

Butler U-Pull-It Bombers Points Standings — 1. Brandon Burks 406.00, 2. Gary Goodwin 395.00, 3. Curtis Faircloth 344.00, 4. Robert Balkum 320.00, 5. Leonard Craig Jr. 309.00, 6. Tracy Soles 305.00, 7. James Beal III 275.00, 8. Kenny Bullard 273.00, 9. Courtney Rodrigues 251.00, 10. Hunter Ward 211.00, 11. Kenny Williams 205.00, 12. Tally Warrick 184.00, 13. Thom Crosslin 174.00, 14. Sam Mellema 134.00, 15. Brian Lane 114.00, 16. Johnny Greene Jr. 113.00, 17. Tony Boyd 94.00, 18. David Johnson 92.00, 19. William Davis 74.00, 20. Gary Burkett Sr. 65.00, 21. Dayton Sidner 60.00, 22. Rick Thompson 59.00, 23. Rusty Powell Sr. 57.00, 24. Johnathan Day 44.00, 25. Derek Long 37.00, 26. Charles Lathan 23.00, 27. Brandin Sidner 20.00, T28. John Burks 20.00, T28. Tom Lowery 20.00, T28. Bobby Jones 20.00, T28. Benny Bender 20.00, 32. Cody White 13.00, 33. Troy Bartlett 9.00

 

Back to News