Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender, Jeb Burton, captured his first career pole Friday at Martinsville Speedway. Burton set a track qualifying record after turning a lap of 19.589 seconds. Leading the way to green in the Kroger 250 Camping World Truck Series race, Burton had an impressive start, leading the first 76 laps of the race.
On lap 105 in an attempt to regain the lead, Burton got into the back of leader Ron Hornaday Jr. in the middle of turns 3 and 4. The crash caused severe damage to the No. 9 No Fear Energy Chevrolet. When asked about the crash, Burton responded, “I ran a little too hard, and got into him. There’s not much more to say.”
Burton led 154 laps in the No. 4 Arrowhead Chevrolet resulting in a career best third place finish. After the race, when asked about his son’s performance, Ward Burton commented, “It was a great weekend-7th race in the Truck Series with Turner Motor Sports and Arrowhead coming on board. We’ve got a 5th place at Daytona and a 3rd at Martinsville. You can’t be happier with that. We are thrilled to death, and looking forward to going to Rockingham.”
Burton leaves Martinsville second in the points, only 12 points behind leader Johnny Sauter, and has emerged as the leader in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings.
Burton’s next race will be in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at the Rock presented by Cheerwine at Rockingham Speedway.
