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Jeff Burton: The Mayor of NASCAR

From South Boston Speedway to the broadcast booth, explore the journey of a racing legend and commentator.

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Biography

The Driver

Jeffrey Tyler Burton (born June 29, 1967), widely known by his nickname "The Mayor," is a distinguished American former professional stock car racing driver and current racing commentator. He is a prominent figure within the renowned Burton racing family.

Key Achievements

Burton amassed 21 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, including prestigious wins at the Coca-Cola 600 in both 1999 and 2001, and the 1999 Southern 500. He was honored as the 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year and was recognized as one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

Broadcasting Career

Transitioning from the driver's seat, Burton joined NBC Sports in 2015 as a color commentator, contributing his extensive knowledge and experience to their NASCAR coverage. He continues to be a respected voice in the sport.

Racing Journey

Early Racing

Burton's racing journey began in his youth, influenced by his father who introduced him and his brothers to go-kart racing. He progressed through late model stock cars, competing at venues like South Boston Speedway.

Busch Series Beginnings

His professional career commenced in the Busch Series (now Xfinity Series) in 1988. He competed for Rookie of the Year in 1989 and secured his first series victory in 1990 at Martinsville Speedway.

Cup Series Ascent

Burton made his Winston Cup (now Cup Series) debut in 1993. His rookie year in 1994 with Stavola Brothers Racing earned him Rookie of the Year honors. A significant career milestone was his move to Roush Racing in 1996, driving the No. 99 Ford.

NASCAR Cup Series Highlights

Peak Performance

The period from 1997 to 2000 marked a highly successful phase for Burton, achieving top-five points finishes annually. His first Cup Series win came in 1997 at Texas Motor Speedway. The 1999 season was particularly strong, with a career-high six victories, including major wins at the Coca-Cola 600 and the Southern 500, securing him the No Bull 5 $1 million bonus.

Consistent Contender

Burton achieved his best points finish in 2000, securing third place. He remained a competitive force, moving to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2004, driving the No. 31 Chevrolet. His 2006 season saw him contend for the championship, including a win at Dover and leading the points standings for several races.

Later Career & Milestones

Notable wins continued in 2007 and 2008, including another victory at Texas and a sweep of the podium for RCR at Bristol. He reached his 1,000th career NASCAR start in 2013. Burton concluded his full-time Cup career in 2013, transitioning to part-time racing and then to broadcasting.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Career

Series Beginnings

Burton began his Busch Series career in 1988, driving for Burton Autosports. He secured his first series win in 1990 at Martinsville Speedway while driving for Ard Motorsports.

Statistical Overview

Over his extensive career in the series (spanning 20 years), Burton participated in 306 races. He achieved 27 wins, 153 top-ten finishes, and 11 pole positions.

Notable Wins

His victories included notable performances at Martinsville, South Boston, and Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he secured his final series win in 2007.

Post-Racing Ventures

Broadcasting Role

Following his retirement from full-time driving, Jeff Burton transitioned into broadcasting. He joined NBC Sports in 2015, providing expert analysis and commentary for their NASCAR coverage, leveraging his deep understanding of the sport.

Ownership and Business

In January 2023, Burton became part of a consortium that purchased the CARS Tour, signaling continued involvement in motorsports beyond broadcasting. This venture includes partnerships with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Management and Trackhouse Racing Team.

Personal Life & Legacy

Family Ties

Jeff is the younger brother of fellow NASCAR driver Ward Burton. His son, Harrison Burton, is also a professional NASCAR driver, currently competing in the Cup Series. His nephew, Jeb Burton, also races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Ancestry

Burton's family lineage traces back to Colonial Virginia, with his earliest ancestor, Richard Burton, arriving in the Jamestown Colony in the 1630s. His ancestry extends further back to Rodger de Burghton in the 13th century.

Influences

An admirer of Bruce Lee, Jeff Burton once raced a car featuring a special Bruce Lee-themed paint scheme during a race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan.

Career Statistics

NASCAR Cup Series

Burton competed in 695 Cup Series races over 22 seasons, achieving 21 wins, 254 top-ten finishes, and 6 pole positions. His best championship finish was 3rd in 2000.

Year Team No. Make 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Top 10s Poles Championship Pos. Points
1993 FILMAR Racing 0 Ford 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 83rd 52
1994 Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Ford 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 24th 2726
1995 Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Ford 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 32nd 2556
1996 Roush Racing 99 Ford 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 1 3 10 1 13th 3538
1997 Roush Racing 99 Ford 1 0 1 3 3 0 1 0 1 1 11 1 4th 4285
1998 Roush Racing 99 Ford 0 1 2 3 3 0 1 1 1 3 15 0 5th 4415
1999 Roush Racing 99 Ford 6 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 2 14 0 5th 4733
2000 Roush Racing 99 Ford 2 1 1 1 2 0 1 1 1 2 12 1 3rd 4841
2001 Roush Racing 99 Ford 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 3 7 0 10th 4394
2002 Roush Racing 99 Chevy 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 1 2 9 0 12th 4259
2003 Roush Racing 99 Ford 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 12th 4109
2004 Roush Racing / RCR 99 / 30 Ford / Chevy 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 18th 3902
2005 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 18th 3803
2006 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 1 0 0 2 3 0 1 0 1 2 10 4 7th 6228
2007 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 2 7 0 8th 6231
2008 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 2 0 1 3 3 0 0 0 0 1 10 0 6th 6335
2009 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 17th 4022
2010 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 12th 6033
2011 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 20th 935
2012 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 19th 883
2013 Richard Childress Racing 31 Chevy 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 20th 906
2014 Stewart-Haas Racing 14 Chevy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 41st 87

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Burton competed in 306 races over 20 years in the Xfinity Series, securing 27 wins, 153 top-ten finishes, and 11 pole positions. His best championship finish was 9th in 1992.

Year Team No. Make 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Top 10s Poles Championship Pos. Points
1988 Burton Autosports 64 Chevy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40th 569
1989 Burton Autosports 12 Pontiac 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 13th 2967
1990 Ard Motorsports 12 Buick 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13th 2967

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Jeff Burton Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional racing, business, or career advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation. Always refer to official sources and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

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