No, he didn't park the #19 TVT 24-7/Royal Purple/Burford & May Motorsports TRE-by-Baby-Bone Chassis for the winter and break out the rifles early for a little pre-season poaching. (He's probably one of the few area racers who won't be doing just that -- well, legal hunting not poaching -- come late October!)

He's hunting for USMTS dollars in that series' version of a NASCAR-like "Chase" named "The Hunt." Jamie Burford is one of 27 racers eligible for The Hunt this year after his 9th place showing to date in the new USMTS Southern Series.

Last report, he and crew chief Buddy Parks were headed north on the Indian Nation Turnpike and expected to arrive in Mayetta, Kansas for race 1 of 16 in The Hunt at Thunder Hill Raceway. He pretty much plans on being at the first 4 Hunt events. The next three are at Bolivar, Lebanon I-44 and Monett. Burford hasn't been to Thunder Hill and I ain't sure about I-44 but he has been to Bolivar and Monett. Jim is expected to meet up with his son on Saturday night at Lebanon with a new USMTS spec motor. From what I know, the spec won't do you much good at Thunder Hill or Bolivar (high speed, big ovals!) but at Monett, it could be of use although it's not a slick 1/4 mile like a lot of our tracks are either!

If things go well those first 4 races, Jamie & Buddy will have a day off Monday before heading further north to Iowa and Minnesota for more races beginning Tuesday. The first half of The Hunt ends one week from tomorrow on the 18th in Iowa. The Hunt restarts in Iowa on August 30th and ends with the USMTS Featherlite Fall Jamboree night 3 race that pays $6000 ($12,000 possible to win over the three days!) on September 8th in Spring Valley, Minnesota. There are already 92 pre-entries for the Jamboree and Jamie isn't one of them yet.

If he can reach and stay top ten in points, Burford will be guaranteed at least $400 per race no matter where he finishes nor even if he qualifies. The way it looks though, qualifying's going to be a must if you're going to be top ten. If he can do that through Sunday in Monett, look for him at race 5 in Iowa. If not, they'll call it a weekend, head home and concentrate on the Southern Series like Randy Timms is going to do. After that, they can start working on what they need to do to be more competitive in the 2008 Hunt assuming they can't hang this year.

Going to be a big weekend for the Louisiana racer for sure! Watch the USMTS message board for tonight's results then I plan on being at all 3 Missouri shows after that. Won't get to make any more Hunt races after that though. A four-letter word comes to mind: WORK!