Burney Lamar’s net worth is estimated at $10 million. The American stock car racing driver earned his wealth through a career spanning the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the Camping World Truck Series, and the NASCAR West Series, combined with sponsorship deals, endorsements, and post-racing business activities.
Who Is Burney Lamar?
Burney Lamar was born on August 21, 1980, in West Sacramento, California. He is an American former professional stock car racing driver and commercial pilot. Most people outside motorsports know his name because of who he married — supermodel Niki Taylor — but inside NASCAR circles, Lamar built a reputation on raw driving talent long before that marriage happened.
He began his motorsport career in karting at age five, winning multiple track championships and achieving a second-place finish in the 1991 International Karting Federation 2-Cycle Sprint Grand Nationals in the Junior I class. That early foundation explains the trajectory that followed.
Burney Lamar Net Worth in 2025
Burney Lamar is an American professional race car driver with a net worth of $10 million. That figure is widely cited across major financial tracking sites, including Celebrity Net Worth and The Richest.
It is worth noting that some sources published in 2023–2025 place the figure lower, around $5 million, citing career inactivity after 2010 and the natural depreciation of racing-specific income over time. His earnings primarily come from his career in stock car racing, including endorsements and sponsorships from well-known brands in the automotive and lifestyle sectors. Additionally, he has made wise investments, contributing to his financial stability and growth over the years.
The $10 million estimate from Celebrity Net Worth remains the most cited figure and is the baseline most credible outlets reference. However, readers should treat any specific number with appropriate skepticism — Lamar is a private individual, and no verified public financial disclosure exists.
Career Timeline: How Lamar Earned His Money
The Go-Kart Foundation (1985–1999)
Lamar’s financial story starts with an unusually successful junior career. He went on to win a total of 25 track championships and three International Karting Federation Regional titles. At the age of 16, he started racing stock cars; he finished with 11 points at the Stockton 99 Speedway.
Track championships at that level don’t pay like NASCAR contracts, but they build the résumé that attracts sponsors early — and sponsorships are where drivers begin accumulating real money.
Breaking Into NASCAR (2000–2004)
In 2000, Lamar entered the USAC Western States Sprint Car Series, where he showcased his skills by finishing third in points and earning Rookie of the Year honors. His success continued as he joined the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Southwest Series in 2001, where he again claimed Rookie of the Year.
He was the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series Bud Pole Award recipient in 2002, 2003, and 2005. Winning pole position awards three times in that series signals genuine speed — it is not a participation trophy. It also signals to bigger teams and sponsors that a driver is worth investing in.
The Kevin Harvick Incorporated Years (2005–2006)
This is where Lamar’s career reached its highest point and, arguably, where his biggest earnings were generated.
Lamar signed with Kevin Harvick Incorporated in 2005, competing in a limited number of NASCAR Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and NASCAR West Series races. In addition to two victories in the West Series, Lamar also won the Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway that season.
Lamar began racing full-time in the Busch Series in 2006, driving the No. 77 Chevrolet for KHI with sponsorship from Dollar General. He finished second at Daytona International Speedway in the season opener.
A second-place finish at Daytona in your series debut is a strong result by any measure. Dollar General as a title sponsor on a KHI car meant significant backing — team sponsorships in NASCAR’s second-tier series at that time were worth millions per season. A portion of that money flows to the driver through salary and performance bonuses.
He competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 2005 to 2009, making 59 starts primarily with teams such as Kevin Harvick Incorporated and Richard Childress Racing, where he recorded seven podium finishes, including a career-best second place, and 28 top-10 results.
The Braun Racing Period and Exit (2009–2010)
In 2009, he split time with Brian Vickers driving the Braun Racing #32 Dollar General Toyota. After two additional top-tens in the first third of the season, Lamar’s results began to fall off, and he was removed from the ride late in the season at the request of Dollar General, who wanted NEXTEL Cup drivers in the car.
This is the commercial reality of NASCAR that most coverage glosses over. Sponsors don’t pay for loyalty — they pay for visibility and performance. When a bigger name becomes available, a regional driver gets displaced. That displacement directly impacts future earnings.
His last NASCAR race was at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November 2010.
Income Sources Breakdown
| Income Source | Period | Estimated Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Race winnings | 2000–2010 | $2M+ (career prize money) |
| Sponsorship/salary (KHI, Braun Racing) | 2005–2009 | Largest single contributor |
| Endorsements and brand deals | 2001–2010 | Supplemental |
| Post-racing investments | 2010–present | Ongoing |
| Commercial pilot career | Post-2010 | Active income |
Throughout his career, he earned over 2 million dollars in prize money. Prize money alone does not explain a $10 million fortune. The larger piece comes from driver salaries paid by teams, which in NASCAR’s Nationwide/Xfinity Series at the time ranged from a few hundred thousand to over $1 million annually for competitive rides with major sponsors.
Burney Lamar and Niki Taylor: What the Marriage Means Financially
He got engaged to model Niki Taylor after just three dates. The couple married in 2006.
Niki Taylor is five years his senior and already has twin sons from her first marriage. Together, Burney and Niki Lamar welcomed their daughter Ciel Taylor Lamar on March 4, 2009.
His wife, Niki Taylor, an American model and a prominent figure in the world of fashion and modeling, has established herself as a renowned personality in the industry. She has amassed a substantial net worth of around $18 million from her long and successful career that spans several decades.
The combined household wealth of the Lamar family is therefore substantial, closer to $28 million by most estimates when both net worths are considered together. This is relevant context because the two have been together since 2006, and their financial lives are intertwined through shared property, investments, and family decisions.
Life After NASCAR
After his racing career ended, Lamar transitioned into two notable directions:
Commercial Aviation: Burney Lamar is also a commercial pilot. Commercial pilot certifications represent real earning potential — commercial pilots in the U.S. earn between $80,000 and $200,000 annually, depending on route type and seniority.
Driver Development and Coaching: Lamar has since transitioned to coaching and driver development roles within motorsports. These roles keep him connected to the sport and provide an ongoing, if modest, income.
Neither of these careers generates the kind of income his racing prime did, but they protect against wealth erosion, which is the more important variable for long-term net worth maintenance.
What Made Burney Lamar’s Career Unusual
Most drivers who peak in NASCAR’s second tier don’t accumulate $10 million in wealth. Several factors worked in Lamar’s favor:
- Early wins at the right time. His 2005 performance at Kevin Harvick Incorporated, including the Copper World Classic win, came at a moment when KHI was a well-funded and well-regarded team.
- Consistent sponsorship attachment. Dollar General backed his car for multiple seasons. That kind of major corporate sponsorship translates to a better-funded team and higher driver compensation.
- Career longevity. He drove in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Multi-series participation means multiple income streams from different teams over different seasons.
- Low public profile. Drivers who stay out of legal trouble, avoid costly public disputes, and manage their income carefully tend to preserve more of what they earn. Lamar’s post-racing life as a pilot and private individual suggests financial discipline.
FAQs
What is Burney Lamar’s net worth in 2026?
Most credible sources estimate Burney Lamar’s net worth at $10 million. Some 2023–2025 sources place it at $5 million, reflecting reduced racing income since 2010.
How did Burney Lamar make his money?
Primarily through NASCAR racing salaries, prize winnings, and sponsorship deals during his active career from 2001 to 2010. Post-racing income comes from his commercial pilot career and driver development roles.
Who is Burney Lamar married to?
He is married to supermodel Niki Taylor. They married in December 2006 and have a daughter together named Ciel Taylor Lamar, born in March 2009.
What was Burney Lamar’s best NASCAR result?
His career-best finish was second place, achieved at Daytona International Speedway during the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season opener while driving the No. 77 Chevrolet for Kevin Harvick Incorporated.
Is Burney Lamar still racing?
No. His last NASCAR race was at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November 2010. He has since worked in driver development and holds a commercial pilot license.
Summary
Burney Lamar built a $10 million net worth through a decade-long racing career that, while it never reached the NASCAR Cup Series level, included genuine competitive success in the Xfinity and West Series with well-funded teams. His earnings came primarily from driver salaries during his KHI and Braun Racing years, compounded by sponsorship deals, over $2 million in career prize money, and post-racing financial decisions that appear sound. His marriage to Niki Taylor further strengthens the family’s overall financial position, with a combined household net worth that exceeds $25 million by most estimates.
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