NASCAR WCUP: Ward Burton Set To Bulldoze His Way Through Bristol

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

August 17, 2001

High Point, NC -- Caterpillar Track-Type Tractors removed 15,000 cubic yards of earth from Bristol Motor Speedway after the World of Outlaws race in June. But from the looks of it, Ward Burton will be driving one of those Caterpillar Tractors in the August 25, 2001 Winston Cup Bristol Night Race. That’s right! Forget about the big brown truck, when it comes to a track like Bristol, you need one of Caterpillar’s Track-Type Tractors to win! The Caterpillar Dodge driven by Burton will be running a special Track-Type Tractor paint scheme at Bristol. This unique paint job gives Burton’s car the appearance of a Tractor. Once again Burton is relying on Caterpillar to give him the right equipment for the job. First it was the C-16 Caterpillar Truck engine paint scheme that powered him in the Winston, now the Track-Type Tractor scheme will help toughen up the Caterpillar Dodge to take on the high banks of Bristol.

The Bristol night race has long been considered the fan favorite of Winston Cup Races. It combines exciting short track size and super speedway banking, with an electrifying Saturday night atmosphere. The result is the most action packed race of the year for the fans, but a race of survival for the drivers always ending with plenty of bent up sheetmetal. But with elevated sprocket tracks for increased traction and a multi-thousand pound front blade to handle those “fender benders”, the Caterpillar Dodge and Ward Burton are well equipped to survive Bristol and win.

Text provided by HK Stoddard

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