Much like the “Burton” name, the tenth race on the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) schedule is arguably one of the most historic stops for NASCAR’s top-three touring divisions. In 2013, the series returned to its roots for the first time since Richard Petty, one of 77 NASCAR drivers to win on dirt, won at N.C. Speedway in Raleigh in 1970. On Wednesday night, Jeb Burton and his NCWTS competitors will return to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for the lone dirt race on the 2014 schedule – the 2nd Annual 1-800-CarCash Mudsummer Classic.
Second-generation driver Burton has a history on dirt; racing go-karts and motocross in Virginia and North Carolina. Therefore his impressive debut last season at Eldora was no surprise to the 21-year-old driver. In the inaugural event at the half-mile clay oval, Burton started first in the fifth and final qualifying heat race, led all eight laps and placed his tough truck on the third row of the starting grid for the main event. Despite receiving damage towards the end of the race, Burton walked away with a top-20 finish.
As one of the most anticipated races of the season, Burton hopes to write his own chapter in the NASCAR history books and put the Burton name back in victory lane.
Sounding off – Jeb Burton:
“Eldora has got to be one of the wildest, craziest things I’ve ever done. It’s a tough little race track, but we had a decent run there last year – won our heat race, ran in the top-12 until I got into the wall, but managed a top-20 finish. Track position is key and just surviving will help us manage a solid run. This race brings a lot of hype, a special format and it’s become a pretty cool stop on our schedule. It’s a historic event that I’m happy to be a part of.”
Burton’s Eldora Stats:
• Won Heat Race #5 after starting on the pole
• Finished 18th after starting fifth in the 2013 Inaugural Mudsummer Classic
• According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Burton ranks:
º Sixth in Average Running Position (14.843)
º Sixth in Driver Rating (62.3)
º Tied for seventh in Fastest Laps Run (1)
º Eight among Laps in Top-15 (62)
Fast & Fun Facts:
Burton will visit the Dayton, OH Estes terminal in Huber Heights on Monday prior to the inaugural Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway.
Jeb Burton 2014:
• Ranks 11th in the 2014 NCWTS driver point standings following a 14th-place finish at Iowa Speedway in Newton
• Recorded a season-best sixth-place finish at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas (May)
• Recorded a season-best third-place start at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky
• In nine starts in 2014, Burton has two top-10 finishes
• Has completed 95.4% of laps attempted (1464/1534)
• Second full-time season in the NCWTS
Burton’s Career Truck Series Stats:
• 36 starts
• 1 win (Texas, June, 2013)
• 5 top-5 finishes
• 14 top-10 finishes
• 7 poles
• 5567 laps completed
• 289 laps led
• Average start: 9.1
• Average finish: 13.1
Estes Delivers:
Estes Express Lines offers direct freight transportation service to all fifty states, the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. With a network of more than 200 terminals located from coast to coast, including six locations in Ohio – Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Mansfield and Toledo – the strength of this regional network ensures that no matter where your shipment needs to go or when it needs to get there, Estes delivers. For more information, please visit www.Estes-Express.com.
ABOUT ESTES EXRESS LINES:
Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Estes is a leading, full-service freight transportation provider offering a complete range of shipping solutions including LTL, time critical, volume & truckload, global and custom solutions. Founded in 1931 by W.W. Estes and still owned by the Estes family, today’s Estes is the largest, privately-held LTL carrier in the nation. With more than 210 terminals across the country and a global service footprint, Estes has grown into one of the most respected total-solutions providers in the industry.
ABOUT THE CAROLINA NUT CO.:
Using unique handcrafted family recipes, The Carolina Nut Co. creates gourmet snacks and flavored nuts that are sure to please every nut lover. The Carolina Nut Co. is family-owned and located in Henderson, N.C. We have been creating delicious gourmet nuts and flavored nuts for more than 60 years. Our unique flavors and high-quality products are making their way across the country. Please keep an eye out for us at your local retailer and ask them about our nuts! For information go to www.carolinanut.com.
ABOUT THORSPORT RACING:
ThorSport Racing, based in a state-of-the-art 100,000-square-foot facility in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport, which has run in the Truck Series since 1996, in 2014 will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by 2013 drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 98 Nextant Aerospace/Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff/Carolina Nut Co./Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter and the No. 13 Carolina Nut Co. Toyota Tundra driven by Jeb Burton in the Truck Series and the No. 13 Toyota Camry in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.