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NASCAR WCUP: Ward Burton looks to Atlanta for Momentum

16 November 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

"We ran real strong at Atlanta in the spring and we need to have a good run this weekend. It looks like we have secured ourselves a top-10 finish in the points, but it would be nice to end the season with a win." -Ward Burton

BURTON ON HOMESTEAD

"We had our fair share of struggles last weekend. We had a good qualifying run, but we never got a good handle on the car in race trim. Tommy and all the guys on the CAT team did a great job at making changes to the car after Happy Hour. When we started the race we were pretty good, just a little tight in the center and on the throttle. When we pitted under caution, I popped the clutch and the car rolled off the jack and we had a lengthy pit stop. We gave up a lot of track position.

"I was back there riding and the No. 99 and No. 3 were racing. Jeff went by me on the outside and then Earnhardt just ran into the back of me. That was the end of our day. It is too bad because I think we had a pretty good car. That car we wrecked last week was supposed to be the car we were going to run in Atlanta, but that's not going to happen now."

BURTON ON ATLANTA

"We need to have a good run this weekend - for the team and for Caterpillar. It would be nice to finish the season on a high note. It would sure make the off season a lot better if we could get one more win this weekend and have some momentum to carry us through until Daytona. We already have a lot of unknowns going into the 2001 season, it would be nice if we could have one known and that being a strong, contending team."

FAST FACTS

The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation held an auction for the opportunity meet Ward Burton at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend. Lori Lovett and Craig Schweinler of Pecatonica, Ill., bid just over $2000 for the opportunity. They received two tickets, garage passes, hospitality passes and 2 nights stay at the Ritz Carlton.

Text Provided By H. K. Stoddard

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.