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Burton to leave Roush, signs with Childress
By Lee Montgomery, NASCAR.COM
August 12, 2004
05:34 PM EDT (21:34 GMT)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jeff Burton has been rumored to be leaving Roush Racing for more than a year. Thursday, the rumor became fact.
Burton will move from Roush's No. 99 Ford to Richard Childress Racing's No. 30 Chevrolet, beginning next weekend at Michigan International Speedway, and has signed a three-year contract to drive for Childress.
Jeff Burton
"Jeff will bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to the America Online team and all of RCR," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing.
"I know back in 1998 and 1999, Dale Earnhardt talked to Jeff quite a bit about driving the No. 3 car when he retired. Then Kevin [Harvick] came along and the plan shifted toward him but Jeff was one of the few people we kept an eye on to be in our organization.
Burton has been with Roush Racing for most of his Cup career, winning 17 times since joining the team in 1996. From 1997-2000, Burton won 15 races and finished fifth or better in the points standings.
But the last three years have been a struggle. Burton won twice in 2001 but has gone 97 races since visiting Victory Lane. The 99 team lost its full-time sponsor in the off-season, and the search for backing has been a distraction.
"Since 1996, I have enjoyed some of the greatest days of my life with the No. 99 Roush Racing team," Burton said. "I will forever be grateful to Jack Roush, my driving teammates and my crew. I wish only the best for the entire organization."
Burton is currently 24th in the Nextel Cup standings, 985 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson, with one top-five and three top-10 finishes. Crew chief Bob Osborne replaced Paul Andrews in March, and the results have been marginally better.
RCR's search for a top-name driver for its No. 30 team is finally complete.
"America Online is very excited to have a driver of Jeff's caliber in the seat of the No. 30 car," said J.D. Ettore, America Online's Director, National Brand Promotions & Sponsorships.
"We are thrilled to have a multi-race winner driving for and representing America Online. America Online has a lot of respect for Jeff and his abilities and we, along with RCR, want to welcome him and look forward to great things with him."
Childress started the team in 2002 with Jeff Green driving, but Green was replaced last year by Steve Park.
Credit: Autostock
RCR and Park did not renew their contract, and Childress flirted with several drivers -- reportedly Burton was among them -- before settling on rookie Johnny Sauter for 2004.
That lasted until June, when Dave Blaney took over for Sauter, who was also running the full Busch Series schedule.
"I've really watched Jeff's talent and his ability to race for a championship," Childress said. "He is a driver who knows how to get the job done and we're going to give him what it takes to be a championship contender."
Burton expressed optimism about his future with Childress.
"I have always had the utmost respect for Richard Childress, and we're both dedicated to winning and running up front every week," Burton said.
"This opportunity gives me a fresh start with a proven organization that is committed to success both on and off the track. I look forward to getting back into Victory Lane with RCR and I will work extremely hard to carry on the winning tradition.
By Lee Montgomery, NASCAR.COM
August 12, 2004
05:34 PM EDT (21:34 GMT)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jeff Burton has been rumored to be leaving Roush Racing for more than a year. Thursday, the rumor became fact.
Burton will move from Roush's No. 99 Ford to Richard Childress Racing's No. 30 Chevrolet, beginning next weekend at Michigan International Speedway, and has signed a three-year contract to drive for Childress.
Jeff Burton
"Jeff will bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to the America Online team and all of RCR," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing.
"I know back in 1998 and 1999, Dale Earnhardt talked to Jeff quite a bit about driving the No. 3 car when he retired. Then Kevin [Harvick] came along and the plan shifted toward him but Jeff was one of the few people we kept an eye on to be in our organization.
Burton has been with Roush Racing for most of his Cup career, winning 17 times since joining the team in 1996. From 1997-2000, Burton won 15 races and finished fifth or better in the points standings.
But the last three years have been a struggle. Burton won twice in 2001 but has gone 97 races since visiting Victory Lane. The 99 team lost its full-time sponsor in the off-season, and the search for backing has been a distraction.
"Since 1996, I have enjoyed some of the greatest days of my life with the No. 99 Roush Racing team," Burton said. "I will forever be grateful to Jack Roush, my driving teammates and my crew. I wish only the best for the entire organization."
Burton is currently 24th in the Nextel Cup standings, 985 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson, with one top-five and three top-10 finishes. Crew chief Bob Osborne replaced Paul Andrews in March, and the results have been marginally better.
RCR's search for a top-name driver for its No. 30 team is finally complete.
"America Online is very excited to have a driver of Jeff's caliber in the seat of the No. 30 car," said J.D. Ettore, America Online's Director, National Brand Promotions & Sponsorships.
"We are thrilled to have a multi-race winner driving for and representing America Online. America Online has a lot of respect for Jeff and his abilities and we, along with RCR, want to welcome him and look forward to great things with him."
Childress started the team in 2002 with Jeff Green driving, but Green was replaced last year by Steve Park.
Credit: Autostock
RCR and Park did not renew their contract, and Childress flirted with several drivers -- reportedly Burton was among them -- before settling on rookie Johnny Sauter for 2004.
That lasted until June, when Dave Blaney took over for Sauter, who was also running the full Busch Series schedule.
"I've really watched Jeff's talent and his ability to race for a championship," Childress said. "He is a driver who knows how to get the job done and we're going to give him what it takes to be a championship contender."
Burton expressed optimism about his future with Childress.
"I have always had the utmost respect for Richard Childress, and we're both dedicated to winning and running up front every week," Burton said.
"This opportunity gives me a fresh start with a proven organization that is committed to success both on and off the track. I look forward to getting back into Victory Lane with RCR and I will work extremely hard to carry on the winning tradition.
