On a good day, Burton is as good as anybody in the sport. Last year, he had two victories and 18 top-five finishes on his way to a fifth-place points finish. But he also had six finishes of 32nd or worse and started an average of about 10 positions further back than those who beat him in points. He can't keep giving up that much in qualifying.
Career
1998, a busy year for Burton -- besides racing all 33 Winston Cup races in the No. 99 for Jack Roush, he also competed in 13 Busch events in the No. 9, also for Roush. More importantly, both campaigns turned out well.
In NASCAR's biggest circuit, Burton finished in the top-10 13 times, including 18 top-fives and two wins. His 4,415 points was good enough to put him in fifth place in the standings.
His 13 Busch races resulted in two poles and three wins, with an average finish of ninth. While he didn't win the Coca Cola 300 at Texas, it did see him make one of his most impressive runs of the season. After starting in the 35th spot, he managed to charge his way to a 10th-place finish. He was running in fifth before yellow flags conspired to put him a lap down.
In addition, Burton notched his first International Race of Champions win in June, passing Tommy Kendall with six laps remaining and holding off Roush teammate Mark Martin. The win was Burton's best finish at Michigan Speedway, beating his previous best of a fourth in a Busch race in 1997.
Younger brother of Ward Burton. Began driving go-karts with Ward then moved to Pure Stock and Late Model divisions on short tracks around South Boston.
1987 Orange County Speedway Champion, 1988 South Boston Most Popular Driver. Moved to Busch Grand National Series in 1988, driving five races. Scored four wins in 153 BGN starts. Made Winston Cup debut in inaugural Loudon (N.H.) race in 1993, qualified sixth, finished 37th.
The young protege of Roush Racing teammate Mark Martin did not disappoint by finishing 13th in 1996.
The driver of the No. 99 Thunderbird, his first career pole came in his 99th NASCAR Winston Cup Series start at the GM Goodwrench 400 in August. Finished ninth at Michigan International Speedway.
At the time, it was his ninth top-10 effort of the year and maintained a fierce pace through the close of the '96 season by notching four more top-10 finishes on the way to a career-best 13th-place finish in the overall points chase.
In 1994, he made 30 of 31 races, earning two top-fives. 1994 NASCAR Rookie of the Year. Spent the 1995 season with Bill and Mickey Stavola's Raybestos Ford. Finished 32nd in the point standings with a ninth-place finish in Bristol's night race and a fifth-place in the October Rockingham race. Starting 1996 season behind the wheel of a new Ford team owned by Jack Roush and sponsored by Exide Batteries.
Caught racing bug at age 5 while watching Ward race go-karts. Was outstanding athlete at Halifax County Senior High, where he played basketball and soccer and was varsity team captain.
Sources: NASCAR Press Guides, Star and News staff reports.
