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VENTURINI: The ‘Real Deal’ with Jeff Burton
Written by:
Wendy Venturini
04/15/2008 - 06:24 AM
Avondale, Arizona
Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet, sits by his car after qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 10, 2008 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images f ยป More Photos
SPEED’s Wendy Venturini and NASCAR driver Jeff Burton on this week’s edition of “Real Deal” from Phoenix International Raceway.
What does the word champion mean to Jeff Burton? He’s the current points leader. A lot of fans thought he left Roush to go to RCR and retire. He says, oh no, that’s not the case. He knows he’s not a poster boy for NASCAR. Let’s check out this week’s Real Deal with Wendy Venturini.
WENDY VENTURINI: Why do you open up to the media?
JEFF BURTON: I think you’re talk to the fans when you’re talk to the media. The fans get their information. I tell the truth as I see it to be. That’s what the sport needs. Without that, what are we.
WENDY VENTURINI: I have to get honest with you here. You’re 40 years ago old.
JEFF BURTON: Scary.
WENDY VENTURINI:You’re 40 years old, 15 seasons in Cup, current points leader. Yet I feel a lot of media glosses over you. Why do you think that happens and does it bother you?
JEFF BURTON:I’m not a pretty guy like some of them are. That’s fine. I’m a lot of people’s second favorite driver. I’m okay with that.
WENDY VENTURINI: Why don’t people talk about Jeff Burton as much?
SCOTT MILLER (#31 Crew Chief): We haven’t had a Jimmie Johnson type of performance. That’s what we’re striving for. If we get that, they can’t help but talk about us.
JEFF BURTON: I get a tremendous amount of exposure and attention from the issue of sport. Hardly anyone says, you’ve done this and that. It’s about that wreck, what do you think about this, or what do you think about the points. That’s who I am, what I’ve become for whatever reason. I believe that I’m a good race car driver, I drive for a great team, I believe we can win the championship. As the year goes on and we put ourselves in that position, then you know, a lot of people will start talking about us.
WENDY VENTURINI: Let’s talk about your performance. I know we’re only
JEFF BURTON: I always prefer to be hunted. The old theory about getting the lead having to hold onto it, that’s all up here (points to his head). It all comes down to performance. It doesn’t come down to where you’re leading, it comes down to the job you do. I’d rather have the lead any day.
WENDY VENTURINI: Does it feel like you guys are really clicking rite now?
SCOTT MILLER (#31 Crew Chief): It does. We haven’t had anything that upset the apple cart. Our relationship is really good. And he knows he can count on me to give 100 percent effort to give him the best car I can give him and I never question his desire out on the race track. He always gives us 100 percent.
WENDY VENTURINI: Your car owner, Richard Childress last won a title in 1994. How special could it be to bring that home?
JEFF BURTON: A lot of people thought I came here the end my career. I came here to get it going again. I came here to re-build this company to what it deserves to be. We need championships for me, too. I want to win it for Richard in the worst way. I want to win it for this team, for at and t and for me. I want to be referred to as a former champion. That’s what I want. You know, it would mean a lot, because a lot of us have come together at the right time with the same goal in mind to try to make something happen.
WENDY VENTURINI: Here’s the bottom line for Jeff Burton. He’s leading the points. He’s been around this sport for years and if he were to win the championship, I think he would rock the headlines and it would be good for our sport and making history to see him become a champion in Sprint Cup.
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