Ward Burton Loudon II preview

"This isn't exactly the way I had anticipated spending Thanksgiving, but we all must understand the bigger picture. I'm just thankful that I am able to spend the holidays with my family, unlike a lot of other people that experienced tragic losses ...

"This isn't exactly the way I had anticipated spending Thanksgiving, but we all must understand the bigger picture. I'm just thankful that I am able to spend the holidays with my family, unlike a lot of other people that experienced tragic losses on September 11."
- Ward Burton, driver of the Caterpillar Racing Dodge

BURTON ON ATLANTA
"We had a great car all weekend. We practiced and qualified well and then we went out in the race and ran competitively. I don't think we ever dropped out of the top 10 all day. Those are the types of runs the Caterpillar needs to have every week. It just proves that we have a lot to look forward to next year. Our goal will be to show up at the season opener and run as strong as we have the last half of the season. It just proves what this team is made of.

"It was nice to see the other Bill Davis Racing teams have good days too. Dave (Blaney) was in one of his last races with Bill, but we had Hut (Stricklin) and his team there trying to get a jump-start on next year. They qualified 11th and finished 11th. I'd say that was a successful day for that team. We have a lot to look forward to in 2002."

BALDWIN RANDOM THOUGHTS
"I was surprised at the visibility we had with the helmets on pit road last week. I hope other teams will recognize that they aren't a hindrance, but rather make you feel safer being on pit road. Our crews had their radios out in them and wore them the entire race. I had no complaints after the race."

"I'm looking forward to our return to New Hampshire. We don't have the best record there, but we feel like we have made some major gains with our program since we were there in July. That gives us a lot of confidence heading into this race and next season. I just want to end the season on a positive note."

TEAM NOTES
Ward and Tabitha Burton's son, Jeb, received his black belt in Okinawan Kempo Karate on Tuesday, November 6. It was a difficult test that took almost two hours to complete.

Tommy Baldwin will return to New York following Friday's race to spend time with his son, Tommy.

Burton retreated to the woods following Sunday's race in Atlanta. He had planned on a moose hunt in Maine following this weekend's race, but he will return home to be with his wife Tabitha. The Burton's are expecting their third child in a few weeks.