A lot of people thought Jeff Burton was crazy, or at least a little confused.
At the end of the 2004 season, Burton left his successful team at Roush Racing in favor of Richard Childress Racing and the No. 31 team. Not only had RCR been in a four-year slump after losing Dale Earnhardt Sr., but they also had developed a reputation for creating controversy both on and off the track.
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Many figured that Burton would fade into retirement after a few years with Childress, but he had different plans. Burton viewed the move to RCR as a chance to revitalize his career, and he completed that process Sunday at the Monster Mile in Dover.
After going 175 races since his last trip to victory lane, Burton returned in classic style Sunday. He battled side-by-side with leader Matt Kenseth for 20 laps before finally taking the lead for good with six to go. The Dover crowd was treated to the best one-on-one racing of the entire NASCAR season.
Burton?s effort in Dover is just one more sign of the turnaround happening at RCR. After four seasons of struggling to regain consistency, RCR is finally back where they used to be ? on top of the NASCAR world.
After missing the Chase for the Cup in its first two seasons, RCR teammates Burton and Kevin Harvick are not only in the Chase, but are in contention for a championship.
Why the sudden change in fortune at RCR? Obviously, the engines and cars are improved, but Burton says that the success starts at the top with the owner.
“The reason I went there [to the No. 31 team] is Richard Childress,” Burton said after last weekend?s race. “When I looked in his eyes, I saw somebody that had a passion for what he does ? that he was committed in getting back to the top.”
Harvick agreed.
“I know Richard and I were on the same page,” he said. “And everyone was pulling in the same direction.”
Both drivers also credit their RCR team members, who were just as committed to winning as Childress.
“The reason for the performance is a lot of hard work that started about the middle of last year, rearranging things at RCR to become a more efficient company,” said Scott Miller, Burton?s crew chief.
There is no question that Burton?s presence at RCR has been a stabilizing force for the often-volatile Harvick. Even with their success so far in the Chase, Burton provides a realistic view of their situation.
“We have put ourselves in a position to do something special,” he said, “but that doesn?t mean something special is going to happen. There is a long way to go.”
As long as Burton continues to put in the same “Monster” effort he did Sunday at Dover, something very special could happen for RCR by the end of the season.
Get up to speed on the latest in NASCAR by listening to Wilson?s Race Report every Monday and Friday at 5:39 p.m. on 93.1 WPOC. You can e-mail Steve at [email protected].
