Race 2 Win: Daytona 500 - Jeff Burton Notes

Nextel Cup Series

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Daytona 500 - Jeff Burton Notes

Jeff Burton
No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date: Daytona 500 – Feb. 20, 2005
Venue: Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Fla.

NOTES:

This Week’s Race Car at Daytona International Speedway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 135 from the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stable. Chassis No. 135 is a brand new superspeedway car that Burton tested during the pre-season at Daytona International Speedway in January.

New Digs … The Daytona 500 will mark Jeff Burton’s debut in the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet. Burton was signed to a long-term contract by RCR in Aug. 2004.

Jeff Burton’s Speedweek Appearances… Sign here please …. Burton will be signing autographs at the Cingular Wireless store located in front of the Volusia County Mall from 5-7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 18. In addition, fans can win give-away items, courtesy of Cingular Wireless.
“WOW”, Live with BP… Burton will join fellow RCR driver Kerry Earnhardt Tues., Feb. 15 at 6:45 p.m. as a guest on Performance Racing Network’s “Fast Talk with Benny Parsons”. The show will be live from the Volusia County Mall, across the street from Daytona International Speedway.
On Stage … Fans can see Burton live race morning, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. on the Chevy Stage, located in the merchandise area outside turn four at DIS. Burton will be part of a question and answer session hosted by Chevrolet.

Former Winner … Burton is a former winner at the famed Daytona International Speedway. He claimed victory under the lights in the 2000 Pepsi 400.

RCR Rocks Daytona … Dating back to 1986, RCR has won six poles and owns 22 total victories at DIS, including 10 straight (1990-1999) Twin 125 wins with Dale Earnhardt. All totaled, RCR has won five Bud Shootouts, 13 Twin 125 qualifying races, two Pepsi 400s and one Daytona 500. Additionally, Dale Earnhardt Jr., won the Feb. 2002 Busch Series race at Daytona driving a car fielded by RCR.

Up to Speed…The 47th Annual Daytona 500 can be seen live on FOX Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and can be heard live on MRN. The Qualifying Races will be broadcast live on FX and MRN beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Qualifying can been heard live on MRN beginning at 1p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13.

JEFF BURTON QUOTES:

You’ve won the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, but what would winning the Daytona 500 mean to you? – “For anyone who has any respect for auto racing, they understand winning the Daytona 500 is one of the accomplishments every driver hopes to achieve. Being a Daytona 500 champion is definitely a big deal. I saw my brother Ward do it and watched all the accolades and admiration that went along with it. I’d love to be part of it.”

How important is a good finish in the Daytona 500 to kick off the season? – “A good finish at Daytona definitely helps get the momentum going on your season. If you have a bad finish, you kind of feel like you’re back on your heels a little bit. It really helps to come out of the 500 with a strong weekend, both in the qualifying races and in the 500. It really helps the mentality of the team. You don’t feel like you have to dig out of a hole. If you don’t have a successful Daytona 500, it doesn’t mean you can’t go out and have a successful year, but with it being the first race of the year, it just helps everybody get off to a good start.”

How big of factor will it be to have three other RCR teammates in the Daytona 500? – “Teamwork is certainly important, but it’s not like you can run together all day long because you will get separated in the pack. But, the willingness to work together and help one another is real important. There is no question in my mind with the teammates I have we can definitely help each other. It’s also important to know that they need to take care of themselves too. If I put myself in a position that isn’t best or doesn’t work for them, then they need to do what is best for them. That is the mentality I take when I go into a restrictor plate race with a teammate – that if we can help each other let’s do it. But, if you can’t help me because it’s going to hurt you or vice versa then we’ll understand. You have to do what is right for you.”

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