Burton, CAT Racing Phoenix preview

Burton Optimistic About Solid Run At Another Flat Track

"Our short, flat track program hasn't been all that successful in the past. Although, I'm real proud of how the CAT team has improved on those tracks this year. We went to Loudon and ran in the top 10 all day until we had motor problems and then we had great runs at Indianapolis and Martinsville. Those are all flat tracks and we have been pretty good this year on all of them."
-Ward Burton, No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge

Phoenix International Raceway
Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500

BURTON ON PHOENIX
"Our short, flat track program has come a long way in the second half of the 2001 season. We usually struggled at Loudon and then we went there and ran great. Our program at those tracks really changed after our test at Indianapolis. We found some really good things at that test that has helped get the nose to turn and keep the car under me. Ever since that test, we have been real competitive at all those types of tracks. We ran terrible at Martinsville in the spring and then went there a couple of weeks ago and ran in the front all day and had a solid, third-place finish.

"Our goal heading into this weekend at Phoenix is to run competitively and have a shot at the win, a lot like we did at Martinsville. The Caterpillar team had a long string of bad luck in the middle of the season where we got taken out of competition a lot and that buried us in the points. If we hadn't been taken out at Kansas, California and both Pocono's, we'd be in the top 10 in points for sure since we were running very good at all those tracks. But now we have to focus on ending the season on a positive note and build momentum for the team heading into the 2002 season."

FAST FACTS
The No. 22 Caterpillar Racing team tested in Homestead this past Monday and Tuesday in preparation of the race to be held in a couple of weeks. Although rain was in the area both Monday and Tuesday mornings, they eventually got on the race track once the race track dried, as there are no jet dryers.

"We had a real good test at Homestead this week," said Tommy Baldwin.

"Since it is a fairly flat track, it should help us at Phoenix this week. Short, flat tracks haven't been our strong suit, so anything we can learn at those types of tracks and transfer to our race set-up is a bonus to our program. I hope we can transfer what we found at Homestead top Phoenix this week."

PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY:

Year Event ST FIN Earnings
2000 Dura Lube 500 19 12 64,500
1999 Dura Lube 500 37 13 52,375
1998 Dura Lube 500 14 14 28,230
1997 Dura Lube 500 27 42 18,390
1996 Dura Lube 500 41 22 25,195
1995 Slick 50 500 34 42 13,605
1994 Slick 50 500 27 21 7,685

Starts Wins Top Five Top 10 Poles Earnings Total 7 0 0 0 0 209,980

2001 PERFORMANCE:

STARTS POLES WINS Top 5 Top 10 LC/TL % Complete Earnings
31 0 1 5 8 8732/9257 94% 2,794,204

CUMULATIVE RESULTS:

Races Wins 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6-10th Poles Outside Poles Money Won
TOTAL 244 3 5 5 4 3 46 6 7 12,104,980

-CAT-