cat-sass
03-27-2005, 05:59 PM
Jeff Burton joining Busch-whacker brigade at BMS
BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Mar 23, 4:00 AM EST
BRISTOL, Tenn. - Information means everything in NASCAR.
It’s no wonder that even the most experienced drivers are now turning to the Busch Series for extra credit,
Nextel Cup veteran Jeff Burton will join the Busch-whacker brigade in the April 2 Sharpie Professional 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Burton was among the drivers testing at BMS Tuesday.
"I’ve got a good car and I’m real happy with what I’m seeing on the track," Burton said. "We’ve been trying to figure out what kind of setup we need to win this race. I think we are in good shape."
The practice of Nextel Cup drivers with major league affiliations competing in the Busch Series has been a hot topic for years. Fair or not, the Nextel gang swept the top nine positions in last week’s Busch event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
"Right now, we are planning on running three Busch races. But I bet that number ends up being seven," said Burton, who ranks eighth in career Busch wins with 20. "Next year, we’re hoping to run about 15 Busch races.’’
Burton has other reasons to work overtime at BMS. It’s all about the new NASCAR rules package dealing with tires and spoiler size. Burton acquired some immediate feedback during a 20-lap race run Tuesday morning.
"I was really curious to see how these new tires will respond on this track," Burton said. "Over the first few races of the season, the tires have really fallen off on speed.
"I think the new rules will have the least effect here than of any place we go. Bristol is a really tight track, so the tires shouldn’t make a huge difference."
The other variable at BMS next weekend will be the new SAFER barriers recently installed on the outside walls of the half-mile track.
"The walls really blend into the corner, so you don’t even know they are there," Burton said. "I don’t think the walls will have much impact as far as the racing action, but it’s great for safety purposes."
It’s been a season of transition for Burton, now with the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing team after a nine-year stint with Roush Racing. Burton is 20th in points.
"We’re off to a slower start than we wanted, but we have gotten better every week," Burton said.
"What’s really been frustrating is that we have yet to finish within five positions of where we should have finished. We feel like that we have thrown away 30 spots, and that’s been frustrating."
As for familiar question of his brother Ward, Jeff said to stay tuned. The veteran driver does not have a ride on any of the NASCAR circuits right now.
"Ward is doing well," Burton said. "He wants to be racing, but he’s stuck to his word that he’s only going to drive if gets a really good ride.
"The more offers Ward gets to run a good truck or Busch car, the more he is interested. I don’t think it will be long before you see Ward in a Busch or truck
http://www.tricities.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI%2FMGArticle%2FTRI_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031781737013&path=!sports
BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Mar 23, 4:00 AM EST
BRISTOL, Tenn. - Information means everything in NASCAR.
It’s no wonder that even the most experienced drivers are now turning to the Busch Series for extra credit,
Nextel Cup veteran Jeff Burton will join the Busch-whacker brigade in the April 2 Sharpie Professional 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Burton was among the drivers testing at BMS Tuesday.
"I’ve got a good car and I’m real happy with what I’m seeing on the track," Burton said. "We’ve been trying to figure out what kind of setup we need to win this race. I think we are in good shape."
The practice of Nextel Cup drivers with major league affiliations competing in the Busch Series has been a hot topic for years. Fair or not, the Nextel gang swept the top nine positions in last week’s Busch event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
"Right now, we are planning on running three Busch races. But I bet that number ends up being seven," said Burton, who ranks eighth in career Busch wins with 20. "Next year, we’re hoping to run about 15 Busch races.’’
Burton has other reasons to work overtime at BMS. It’s all about the new NASCAR rules package dealing with tires and spoiler size. Burton acquired some immediate feedback during a 20-lap race run Tuesday morning.
"I was really curious to see how these new tires will respond on this track," Burton said. "Over the first few races of the season, the tires have really fallen off on speed.
"I think the new rules will have the least effect here than of any place we go. Bristol is a really tight track, so the tires shouldn’t make a huge difference."
The other variable at BMS next weekend will be the new SAFER barriers recently installed on the outside walls of the half-mile track.
"The walls really blend into the corner, so you don’t even know they are there," Burton said. "I don’t think the walls will have much impact as far as the racing action, but it’s great for safety purposes."
It’s been a season of transition for Burton, now with the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing team after a nine-year stint with Roush Racing. Burton is 20th in points.
"We’re off to a slower start than we wanted, but we have gotten better every week," Burton said.
"What’s really been frustrating is that we have yet to finish within five positions of where we should have finished. We feel like that we have thrown away 30 spots, and that’s been frustrating."
As for familiar question of his brother Ward, Jeff said to stay tuned. The veteran driver does not have a ride on any of the NASCAR circuits right now.
"Ward is doing well," Burton said. "He wants to be racing, but he’s stuck to his word that he’s only going to drive if gets a really good ride.
"The more offers Ward gets to run a good truck or Busch car, the more he is interested. I don’t think it will be long before you see Ward in a Busch or truck
http://www.tricities.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI%2FMGArticle%2FTRI_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031781737013&path=!sports