Ladies and Gentleman welcome to another installation of Bowman Gray Driver Q&A’s, as I had the opportunity to catch up with fan favorite Amber Lynn.
In just six seasons over at Bowman Gray Amber has accomplished 2017 Street Stock Top Gun Award, 2017 Street Stock Rookie of the Year, 2017 BGS Rookie of the Year as well as 2018 Sportsman Rookie of the Year, 2022 Sportsman Top Gun Award.
While in just 14 starts in the Street Stock Division Amber picked up three wins, eight top 5’s, ten top 10’s. As for the Sportsman Division in just 83 starts she has nine wins, 29 top 5’s and 55 top 10’s
In 2022, Amber Lynn became the most winningest driver at Bowman Gray Stadium as a female with 12 wins, one more than Susan Kimel.
Q: You became the winningest female driver at Bowman Gray back in 2022, where do you rank that among all of your accomplishments?
A: When I became the most winningest female that accomplishment went to the number three spot on my list. I do not expect awards for simply being a female. Although it does get hard not being one of the guys it’s what makes me strong. My most rewarding accomplishment is my first stock car win in 2015, the 2019, 602 championship then breaking Kimel’s record.
Q: Our Bowman Gray careers started the same year, so I’ve seen you grow as a driver and become a competitor. Six years later is there anything you would tell rookie Amber or at least is there something you would do differently to get where you are today?
A: I wouldn’t do anything differently. I would tell Rookie Amber to keep her head up. There are boys out there that will never get over themselves and you will be blamed for everything, but remember the driver you are and were raised to be.
Q: I read an article last year about you possibly considering a move to modified, is there any chance we could see Amber Lynn racing in modified at Bowman Gray?
A: I would make the jump to mods when I win a sportsman championship. It’s always been a rule in our shop that we don’t move up unless we win a championship. Our move from Street Stock to Sportsman was an exception.
Q: After every race, hundreds of fans line up at your trailer to get pictures, autographs, merch or just talk to you. How special is it to know you have one of the biggest fan bases at Bowman Gray?
A: It makes my heart happy knowing so many people love and adore me and I love and adore them more than they will ever know. If it wasn’t for the hundreds of people lining up to see me I probably wouldn’t have come back to Bowman Gray. I believe I have the best fan base and during every off season I look forward to seeing them again
Q: When you first started racing at the Madhouse you raced in Street Stock, as to now you’re in Sportsman. What would you say the biggest challenge was to transition to another division or was there one?
A: In street we run a 602, when I was in it we also ran a restrictor plate. The biggest thing was racing with a new class of people and also getting out of my habits with lifting/breaking. We got the hang of it but not after a rough first year!
Q: Who would you say you enjoy racing with the most out there week to week?
A: I enjoy racing with Michael Adams the most. He is such a standup guy and takes care of people who take care of him. Don’t get me wrong, we have had our run ins in the past but I’d consider him a friend and a very respectful driver. It’s alway a pleasure to race with Michael.
Q: Over the years, you have had your share of run in with others, would you say that motivates you to be a better driver?
A: I believe in bettering myself in all aspect of life. Whether it be my temper, my mouth or my driving I always strive to be better for the sake of myself, my husband, family, team and career. Everyone knows I have a pretty short fuse but I believe it’s gotten better over the past 6 years.
Q: Of course you lean on your dad for advice, is there any drivers you look to for advice?
A: We have a few competitors we can lean on. We bounce ideas off each other and trying to help each other out on and off the track. We try to respect those who respect us and just stay away from the crazies.
Q: You’ve raced at numerous tracks over your career, what would you say the biggest difference is between Bowman Gray and other tracks?
A: The biggest difference is the fans and the overall atmosphere. It really feels like a bull ring when you’re there. You have people charging at you in their cars with no regard to safety in the bottom of a bowl with thousands of people cheering for it. But, at the end of the night I have hundreds of people standing in a hour to and hour and a half line just to take a picture with me. During the race we are warriors but after the races I am humbled by every man, woman and child that looks up to me and cheers me on.
Q: You started your racing career at a young age, What is some advice you would give the young kids who are wanting to become a race car driver?
A: I tell kids every week that first comes school. Do good in school and you can do anything you want In life. That primary school age is where you learn work ethic and well as the value of a dollar. I started racing when I was 8, I’ve been in this industry for over half my life (16 years). As long as you work hard and always strive to better yourself you can do anything you want.
Q: Your dad (Ron Burchette) use to race, have y’all ever gone out to see who can set a faster lap and get bragging rights as to who’s a better driver?
A: The only time dad and I have been on the track together is when I first started and he brought his car out to show me the line. Dad quit when I started racing as to pass the torch to me. I am so grateful to my parents for the past 16 years of blood, sweat, tears and a whole lot of money.
Q: Obviously, you have the same goals and expectations as every other driver. But is there one in particular goal/expectation you have set for yourself this season??
A: When we show up at the track we are trophy hunting. We want to win all we can and whatever records or accomplishments come with that we are grateful for.
Q: Of all your wins, which one stands out the most to you?
A: My first win in sportsman stands out so vividly because we had such a hard year the previous year it was like a weight was lifted when we finally won. We laughed, we cried and it was overall an indescribable feeling.
Q: Some drivers have a story behind the number they run, you ran 02 in street stock, then you run 01 and 2 in sportsman. Is there a story behind the 02, 01, and 2?
A: My dad was number 1 before he retired. I’ve always been second generation racer so I chose number 2. My nephew is starting to race and we are trying to convince him to be number 3 but Duck is stuck on 999. The only reason we ran 01 and 02 was because someone else was already running 2.
Q: What is your most memorable moment in your racing career?
A: My most memorable moment would have to be the night we won the 602 Tour championship. We fought hard for it and never even won a race but we finished top 5 every week and stayed out of the crap just long enough to pick up my first and only stock car championship.
Q: You had some feuds/rivalries over the years, was there a feud/rivalry that you can say you actually enjoyed being a part of?
A: I cannot say I have enjoyed any of the feuds/rivalries only because these boys have no regard for human life. We go out and run 70+ mph around a football field and they want to destroy your car not even thinking about the fact that there’s an actual human being in there.
Q: How would you describe the new asphalt compared to the old? What are the pros and what are the cons?
A: I liked the old asphalt without the rumble strips because that’s how I learned to drive at Bowman Gray, but this new asphalt is so much faster and so much smoother. We ran our fastest lap time ever this past Saturday which was a 14.38. One of the biggest cons right now is there is really no outside line, this asphalt is taking a while to take rubber but I think by the end of the year we can make some pretty awesome passes on the outside.
Q: Last question, it’s something I like to ask drivers. “If you could race against any legendary driver (BGS or NASCAR) who would it be?”
A: I would love to race against Kyle Larson. I think the dude is a wheelman and I think it would just be an honor to be on the track with him. Dirt or asphalt.
Amber would like to give a shoutout to her sponsors.
Mark Robinson for NC Governor
Walk About Flooring
Liberty Sign and Lighting
Law Office of John Barrow
Be sure to check out next week’s action as the schedule includes Kevin Powell Motorsports 100, which is the first 100 lap Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series race of the season. Like all 100 lap Modified races this season, there will be a full-field draw for position and a double-file restart with the cone. In addition, all 100 lap Modified races this season will incorporate the Fans’ Challenge, where the fastest four qualifiers will have the option of either drawing with the rest of the field or opting to go to the back of the field. If the drivers accept the Challenge and then finish in the top four, they will win all or parts of $3,000. If nobody wins the money, it will roll over into a pool for the next 100-lap Modified race, scheduled for June 3, where it will double to $6,000.
In addition to next week’s Kevin Powell Motorsports 100, there will be a “Madhouse Scramble” double feature in the McDowell Heating & Air Sportsman Series, a 20-lap race in the Law Offices of John Barrow Street Stock Series, and either one or two 15-lap races in the Q104.1 Stadium Stock Series.
Gates open at 6 pm on Saturday night, and the first race is at 8pm. Adult admission for Saturday is just $12. For children 6-11, it’s only $2 and children under 5 are free.
Starting this year, you are able to get your tickets online to beat the lines at the gates.
If you can’t be here to witness all the action, make sure you check out FloRacing for the live streamed action!
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