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[/media-credit]JEB BURTON CHARLOTTE REPORT
ReDriver of the No. 27 State Water Heaters Chevrolet
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series* NC Education Lottery 200* Report
RACE INFO:
Friday, May 18th 2012, 8:00 pm EST
Charlotte Motor Speedway
1.5 mile Quad-Oval
N.C. Education Lottery 200
134 laps / 201 miles
Follow on Twitter @JebBurtonRacing:
Broadcast Info:
Pre-race 7:30 pm EST, live on SPEED
Redemption for Burton and career best finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, NC (May 18, 2012) – After an extremely humbling rookie experience at Kansas Speedway with an early wreck ending his day on lap one, Jeb Burton charged back with an incredible run at Charlotte Motor Speedway Friday night for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NC Education Lottery 200, landing himself with an eighth place finish and two race awards for the night: the Sunoco Rookie of the Race Award and the Featherlite Most Improved Driver award. Not bad for only his fourth race ever in the NCWTS.
Burton struggled in practice with the truck as he was trying to learn the track. He felt the truck was tight and he was having difficulty with throttle control. With the assistance of crew chief, Trip Bruce, as well as his dad, Ward Burton, he gained confidence going into qualifying which earned him the 21st position for the start of the race.
Burton managed to ride around mid-pack during the first part of the race learning how to move around and stay out of trouble when guys were taking turns three, sometimes four wide. A caution on lap 24 brought the No. 27 State Water Heaters Chevy in for a wedge bolt adjustment and fuel only. On the restart Burton was 20th and he wouldn’t stay there for long.
Burton crept his way up through the field advancing his position every 10 laps until he found himself in the top 10. He managed to keep himself there and when caution came out on lap 71, he was in the 6th position. Crew Chief Trip Bruce called for four tires, fuel and a tire pressure adjustment. Burton knew then he had great track position to finish out the race, he just needed to stay out of trouble.
There were four more cautions and each time the rookie was advised to stay out and save fuel. Crew Chief, Trip Bruce, knew they were close on fuel but thought they would make it. He advised Burton to stay calm and focus on his restarts. Burton fell back a few times as he struggles to still learn consistency and smooth restarts, but had no trouble regaining his position and remaining in the top 10.
As the checkered flag fell, Burton brought his truck across the start finish line in the 8th position earning him his career best finish and top finishing rookie in the NC Education Lottery 200.
“I am happy and blessed to have this opportunity”, stated Burton. “I can’t thank my family and State Water Heaters enough. That was fun out there and I am proud I was able to show my talents. I hope we are able to continue to race like that because I know I can win if given the opportunity.”
Crew Chief Trip Bruce stated, “We had a truck that could win. I know with a little more seat time and experience on these tracks, Jeb can win these races.”
Next up for Burton and his No. 27 State Water Heaters Chevy is the Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway, June 1, 2012. SPEED TV will be broadcasting live beginning at 4:30 pm EST.
