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NASCAR WCUP: Ward Burton respects the tradition at Darlington

17 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

"Darlington is one of those tracks that have a lot of mystique about it. There is so much tradition at that racetrack. The black stripes on the wall from other drivers scraping the wall, is very intimidating to the driver. You are reminded of how close that wall is every time you make a lap."

- Ward Burton

BALDWIN ON DARLINGTON

"Darlington Raceway is a very good track for Ward and the Caterpillar team. Ward is very comfortable racing at this track. He has a good feel for the track and he can certainly get around it very well. We've really improved our race set-up at Darlington. Ward ran second in last fall's race and we feel confident we had a shot at the win had it not been shortened by rain.

"We're returning to Darlington with the same car we ran at Rockingham. It ran real well there and we know it is going to run very well this weekend. Since Darlington is a driver's racetrack, we need to give Ward the best car we can and make it very easy for him to drive. The track is very abrasive, so it is hard on the tires. Tire conservation and a comfortable car is what we need to get Ward in contention for the win."

BURTON ON DARLINGTON

"I am ready to get to Darlington. We have run well there and I am fairly certain we can run better this year. I like the track a lot, but it takes awhile to get to that point. Darlington is a track that takes a lot of concentration. You have to constantly be aware of the wall, since you run that high line all the time. Tires are also very important. We'll be conserving the tires on long runs."

BURTON ON ATLANTA

"We had a tough day at Atlanta. We had some problems in the pits, but we were able to overcome those problems and have a decent finish. We're in this as a team and when we make mistakes, but we all take responsibility for them together."

Text provided by HKStoddard

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