JEFF BURTON QUOTES:
As a driver who has had success at Phoenix International Raceway, what is your thought process heading to the track? “A lot of drivers really like Phoenix. I wouldn’t say it’s everybody’s favorite but a lot of people like it. It’s kind of like Richmond in that it has a lot of short track characteristics but it’s still big enough to have big track characteristics, as well. It’s a track where you can run a couple of different grooves -- you don’t just have to run the bottom, you can run a bit higher too, although I think the bottom is the way to go. It’s just a fun racetrack to drive on and it’s a real challenge because both ends of the racetrack are totally different. When I go to Phoenix, I think about a good time because it’s a fun racetrack.”

There have been quite a bit of improvements to the PIR track lately. What has been the impact of the tunnel, the SAFER barriers and the lights? “You would think the tunnel really wouldn’t have an impact but it does because the track has new asphalt there. The rest of the track is fairly old and that new asphalt has a lot more grip. So, the tunnel has made an impact on how the new track drives. You kind of slide to the new asphalt, then you have grip, then you slide afterward.

“I think the lights are really going to be fun. Fans just really seem to enjoy night racing. It’s the whole buildup the day of the race - you have that tail-gating atmosphere. I think that will really add to the excitement. That is saying a lot because the fans in Phoenix, to me, are some of the most excited fans. When we go there, they are always pumped up. The track is always sold out. It’s a really, really good crowd.

“The SAFER barriers obviously are a good thing everywhere we go. You drive into turn one and you’re looking at that wall and it’s a sharp angle there, so SAFER barriers are a really big plus for Phoenix.”

Phoenix has multiple racing lines. When you are in race mode, what is your strategy to utilize that to perform well in the race? “One of the things about the outside groove is that if you are on the outside running the same speed as the guy on the inside, he is going to beat you. You’ve got to be able to make faster lap times by running the outside or use the outside to pass a guy that’s a little slower than you. That’s the advantage. The fast cars are going to be right at the bottom and if you can run on the bottom, it’s going to be better.”

Pit road has a curve in it. What do you think coming onto pit road and executing a pit stop? “Pit road is tough getting onto because (turns) three and four is such a long corner, and it’s kind of a blind corner, so it’s hard to see the entrance of pit road. So, it’s easy to get yourself messed up entering pit road. In all honesty, it’s a real wide pit road for a mile-and-half track and the pit boxes are big. There is a curve at the end of pit road that makes visibility a tough spot, but for a one-mile race track, the pit boxes are a really nice size.