Ramona driver content in minors of NASCAR

By: MARWAN RAZOUK - Staff Writer | Friday, June 22, 2007 11:52 PM PDT ∞

SONOMA ---- Johnny Borneman III isn't holding his breath waiting for a ride in one of NASCAR's top three series.

He knows that in today's NASCAR world, it takes more than pure talent to land a top-tier seat.

"It's so tough. You have all these 18-, 19-year-olds in the coming up," Borneman said. "I'm here to have fun and win races. If a door opens for me, I'll take it. I won't lose sleep over it though; life goes on."

Joey Logano, 17, is the youngest driver in today's Blue Lizard Suncream 200 at Infineon Raceway and has a Busch Grand National West series win this season. But even he is a Joe Gibbs Racing development driver. Joe Gibbs Racing has won three of the last seven Cup series championships.

"Joey is good, but if you have Joe Gibbs' equipment, you're getting to jump in the best already," Borneman said. "Look at Johnson (Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson). He's with a 25 million-dollar operation, and Robby Gordon's single-car team is a 10 million operation. You have to have the money coming from somewhere."

Borneman, a Ramona native, has gotten a taste of the big time. He has three Craftsman Truck Series starts and one Busch Series start in his career.

"I drove the No. 35 car for Renzi motorsports, but Regan (Nextel Cup driver Regan Smith) came along with money and I got the boot," Borneman said.

Fifth-year Nextel Cup regular Jamie McMurray agreed that finding a regular Cup ride has a lot to do with image and potential and isn't always a fair system.

"I think it's really hard unless you bring a sponsor," said McMurray, who will sit on the pole for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 Nextel Cup race. "Everybody wants the next Jeff Gordon or Kasey Kahne ---- the young, good-looking guys."

Borneman, 29, is fourth in Busch West series points through the first six races and feels great about his chances to win today's race after finishing fifth in the final practice. He finished 28th last year with mechanical trouble.

The Sonoma weekend is special for West drivers, who serve as the opening act for Sunday's Nextel Cup event. They have the chance to race against a handful of Cup drivers, knowing that they can gain a feel for where they stack up against the best of NASCAR.

Borneman is relishing the opportunity, but his approach to racing never really changes.

"It's in my blood," the third-generation racer said. "I'll be racing cars until I just can't anymore."

Expect Borneman to fall back early in the race and start to advance toward the end. His plan is to conserve his tires and hope that, unlike last year, his transmission holds up.

"You could sit in 10th place with five laps to go, and if a caution comes out and you've saved your stuff, you can charge past those who wore out their cars," he said.

Contact staff writer Marwan Razouk at mrazouk@nctimes.com.