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NASCAR WCUP: Ward Burton likes new configuration at Texas

30 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

"Texas is a neat track. I think the speedway has done a great job with the new configuration. It has made for better racing since they made the changes." - Ward Burton, Caterpillar Pontiac

BURTON ON TEXAS

"I think we have the potential to run really well this week at Texas. The Caterpillar team went to Texas and performed a Goodyear tires test in 1999, right after Atlanta. That allowed us to try some new things and we think we're going to be able to use that information this week.

"Last year we were leading the race, came into the pits and Mark Martin blew a tire which brought out the caution. We just got caught pitting and we were never able to get back up there with the leaders. But, we're taking a car that I like and it always performs real well too."

BURTON ON BRISTOL

"It's a tight little track and things happen really fast. Sometimes you just don't have time to react to what's happening in front of you. I know I got bumped once or twice, but I know that I bumped people too. I bumped Dale Jarrett once, but I think he had slowed up from a right front tire going down. It seems like there was a lot of times last week when guys just spun guys out. I try to drive the way I wants guys driving with me. That's not to say I don't make mistakes, but that's short track racing. I was thrilled that the Caterpillar team was able to finish third at Bristol. That was a good day for us."

BURTON ON STAYING FOCUSED

"I think I've gotten more focused on finishing the race first, rather than trying to win the race first. With the longer races, we have to make sure that we complete all the laps. If you can complete all the laps, most likely you'll be in contention for the win at the end. I'm very focused on staying out of trouble and making sure that I'm running at the end of the race. Most of the time, I need Tommy to slow me down so I can save my tires. He doesn't need to remind me to go faster.

"We're staying focused on one week at a time. If we continue to do what we're capable of, I think we'll be in the points at the end of the year. There's so much you can't control, so we just need to keep working on our communication, making the car reliable and working as a team. If we keep doing that, we'll have a very successful year."

Text provided by HKStoddard

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