BUNNY TOUCHES LIFE OF D.R.A.W. MEMBER!
By Tracy Winters
9/8/06
n the course of our lives it is amazing how different people impact our lives on a daily basis. This month one of board members, Kevin Bennett will share his experience with Bunny Burkett, Top Alcohol Funny Car Driver. I am sure you will share in his experience and find it inspiring.
It was 20 some years ago when Kevin Bennett first met Bunny Burkett, Alcohol Funny Car Racer. We first met at the NHRA Spring Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. That day Bunny autographed a picture for me and even gave me a press kit. Since that day I have followed Bunny's career. There have been many ups and downs in her career. After a devastating crash in 1995 every one wondered is she would ever race again. But, like every champion she rose to challenge and made it back to the racetrack. Her desire to race was so strong that she even went as far as making a pass in a junior dragster to keep her license current.
While, I was volunteering for D.R.A.W. in Milan, Michigan during 2004 I had the great opportunity to see Bunny again. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up on old times. It was a great and memorable weekend for me. A crushing event took place on July 26th, 
2006. It was announced that drag racing community's long time Top Fuel Alcohol Race Car Driver; Bunny Burkett was diagnosed with cancer. Bunny, made the decision with the help of her Doctor's to undergo a double mastectomy. This life-altering event will take place on September 5th. At the same time Bunny will also have re-constructive surgery in the Washington, D.C. area. Shortly, after it was announced that Bunny's last race of the year would be August 19th at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Maryland. To help cheer up Bunny I decided to make a trip for Bunny's last event of the year. I even showed up with one dozen long stemmed pink roses to bring a ray of sunlight into Bunny's weekend. D.R.A.W. board member Pat Shaeffer and her daughter- in-law Kelly were also at the track and made several visits of encouragement to Bunny's pit area. That weekend I was made an official crewmember, where I was able to go to the starting line every time Bunny raced. Bunny 
turned on the win light the first two rounds. The next round her opponent in the final round grazed the wall and Bunny was declared the winner. I was declared the "GOOD LUCK CHARM" for the team.
It brings me so much joy to be able to spend time with Bunny prior to her surgery and provide an uplifting weekend for Bunny and Boys. As Bunny undergoes her surgery and recovery please keep her in your prayers and thoughts. To find out more about Bunny go to www.bunnyburkett.com, click on and sign her guestbook. You can also send Bunny get-well wishes to Bunny Burkett Racing Team, 8314 Robert E. Lee Drive, Spotsylvania, VA. 22553.
Kevin Bennet, DRAW Board Member
Click here to visit the DRAW website: www.drawfasthelp.org
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