Jeff Burton Joins Elite of NASCAR with 500th Start

This weekend, Jeff Burton is celebrating a major milestone that only 28 drivers have achieved before him, as he starts his 500th race in NASCAR's top series at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.  He does so with 114 top five finishes and 205 top ten finishes in his racing career.

Burton, age 41, is one of NASCAR's most seasoned drivers.  He has competed in the Cup series for sixteen years, currently driving the #31 AT&T Mobility Chevy for Richard Childress Racing.  He also races part-time in the Nationwide series, driving the #29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet.

Jeff started his Cup career in 1993, driving for Fil Martocci.  The next year, he won the Rookie of the Year honors, competing against the likes of Joe Nemecheck and John Andretti.

From 1996 to 2004, Burton drove for Roush Racing.  He achieved his first career win in 1997 at Texas Motor Speedway, in their inaugural race.  In 2004, after losing sponsor Citgo, Jeff Burton ended his tenure at Roushand signed a three year deal with Richard Childress Racing.

Burton struggled in the 2005 season, but stepped up his game, winning four poles, in 2006.   Bad luck towards the end of the season was the only thing that stood in his way for championship contention.

In 2007, Jeff qualified for the Chase.  He started strong but again faded at the end, finishing eighth in the championship points.  In this year, however, he won one of NASCAR's most coveted awards, that of “NASCAR Person of the Year”.

In 2008, Burton has been doing well and is currently sitting pretty in the fifth position, right behind Jimmie Johnson.  Sure, he had a tough go at Bristol, but this upcoming race weekend, with his 500th start, seems much more promising.

Jeff has known his share of controversies.  One of the most difficult was the sponsor controversy with AT&T, who wanted to have the hood of the car for Burton but was barred due to the Nextel/Sprint title sponsorship.  After litigation and many closed door meetings, NASCAR announced that there had been an agreement and AT&T could sponsor the car through the 2008 season.  Burton had to secure a new sponsor for 2009 and thankfully Caterpillar came through with a multi-year sponsorship agreement for the next year and beyond.

Burton is also known for his work off the track.  He is an active supporter of the Duke Children's Hospital, contributing his dollars as well as visiting the children who are patients.  Wife Kim currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Hospital.

This South Boston, Virginia native is also known to speak his mind.  He has been a vocal and active advocate for safety in the sport.  He was on the front lines after Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s crash, advocating for head and neck restraints, softer walls, and other safety improvements.  He has also been a proponent of the safety improvements with the COT (Car of Tomorrow, now Today).

Jeff will most surely be celebrating this 500^th career start milestone with his family and friends.  Every time he is on the Waldorf Astoria banquet stage, he always pays tribute to his wife and high school sweetheart, Kim.  She is most certainly his biggest fan and can often be seen on the pit box dramatically rooting for her favorite driver.

Jeff's children, Paige and Harrison, are also the lights of his life and he truly has found a way to balance NASCAR racing and being a dad.  And, if you're an old school racing fan, you know that brother Ward will also be celebrating and toasting his brother.  The only problem is that Jeff will be the only one able to understand him!

As the final recognition of this milestone, there will be a roast of Jeff Burton on August 30th, hosted by ESPN personality Alan Bestwick.  Dale Jarrett and Tim McGhee, AT&T's Director of National Sponsorships, will also be on hand to pay tribute to this special driver.

So, let's all raise our glasses to toast one of NASCAR's steadiest and most accomplished drivers.  Here's to you Jeff Burton for making our sport exciting, safe, and respected.  And heartiest congratulations on your 500th start.