Race 2 Win: Checker Auto Parts 500

Nextel Cup Series

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Checker Auto Parts 500 - Jeff Burton Notes

Jeff Burton
America Online Racing
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date: Checker Auto Parts 500/November 7, 2004
Venue: Phoenix International Raceway

NASCAR Nextel Cup Points Position: 16th (up one position from last week)
Owner points: 22nd

NOTES:

This Week’s Race Car at Phoenix International Raceway (chassis No. 129) first and only race was at Martinsville Speedway (10/04) where Burton finished 11th in the Subway 500 after starting 12th.

Stat Facts …

Nine of 11 … Jeff Burton has posted nine top 15 finishes in 11 starts since joining RCR to drive the No. 30 AOL Chevy, including three top 10’s and one top five.

Twice as nice … Burton is a two-time winner at PIR, claiming back-to-back victories in 2000 and 2001. He has also posted five top-10 and four top-five finishes in his 10 starts at the one-mile oval. In addition, Burton has claimed victory in the Busch Series at PIR, winning in 2000 to sweep the weekend.

Average finish … Burton has an average finish of 14th since joining RCR as the driver of the No. 30 AOL Chevrolet. In addition, he tops four of the “Chase” drivers with an average finish of 14.5 since the Chase began at Loudon. Finally, Burton ranks sixth of all of the top-20 drivers in points in total points over the last five races.

Testing, testing … Jeff Burton and the No. 30 AOL Racing Team are scheduled to test at Homestead-Miami Speedway Tuesday, Nov. 9, in preparation for the upcoming Ford 400 season finale on Nov. 21.

A different look … the No. 30 AOL Chevrolet will sport special black-and-blue paint scheme as part of the AOL “Pick the Paint” Sweepstakes. AOL members chose from three different Sam Bass designed AOL paint schemes. A grand prize winner was chosen from the group who picked the winning paint scheme. Ron MacDonald, of Scottsdale, Ariz., won an autographed original Sam Bass print of the winning paint scheme along with a VIP weekend for him and a guest at PIR consisting of all accommodations and a meet and greet with Jeff Burton.

Catch the action … the Checker Auto Parts 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race will broadcast live at 3 p.m. EST Sunday, November 7, on NBC, MRN and XM Radio. Qualifying for the Checker Auto Parts 500 will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. EST Friday, November 5, on SPEED, MRN and XM Radio.

JEFF BURTON QUOTES:

On Phoenix International Raceway: “Based on the way we ran at Martinsville, I have pretty high hopes heading into Phoenix. We made a lot of changes to our short track program before we went to Martinsville and it was beneficially to both our team and the 29 team. I like Phoenix a great deal, it’s one of my favorite race tracks, and I’ve won a lot of races there, so I really feel good about this weekend.”

Why do you run so well at Phoenix? “I have a history of running well on tracks that get real slippery and are hard to get hooked up on, and I think Phoenix is one of those tracks. I have always liked Phoenix. I really can’t put my finger on why, but I’ve always felt real comfortable there in a Busch car or a Cup car.”

What is the 30 team looking for out of the final three races? “We want to continue to improve. We know we have some room to grow as a team. We know we haven’t been as good as some other teams, like the 48. We know we have some ground to make up on those top caliber teams and that’s the kind of team we want to be. But at the same time, I think I have a crew chief and a team that is capable for contending for wins and I feel like I am a driver that is capable of contending for wins. Now we have to put it all together to consistently run up front and go out and contend for the wins. That’s not to down play what we have been able to do. We’ve done real well, but we haven’t done as well as we want to do. We’re going to set high standards and try to meet those. We’re not going to be satisfied with not doing the best we think we can do and I think we have some room to improve.”

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