Does Bristol sweep mean RCR is back on top?
Jeff Burton's win at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday may have been greeted with teasing from his teammates, who finished second and third, but it appears to be a signal that Richard Childress Racing is back in top form.
Burton has generally shrugged off comments about the impact he’s had on the organization and its resurgence since he joined it in 2004. At that time, the group that won six NASCAR Cup championship with the late Dale Earnhardt was struggling in the standings.
But by last season, all three RCR drivers were in the championship chase, and now they're off to another strong start to the season.
Burton may not take credit for RCR's turnaround, but his teammates are happy to have him at least share in a part of it. Kevin Harvick refers to him as the “calm reason” between him and teammate Clint Bowyer.
For his part, Burton says the team's success is a reflection on its maturity.
While some may have said that he stole Sunday's victory after Harvick made contact with Tony Stewart challenging for the win, Burton
simply pointed out that he’d put himself in position. That’s what it takes in Sprint Cup racing – being in position to challenge for the win week to week.
The fact that his team has been in position is what has Burton so optimistic about 2008.
“We did the little things right,” the native of South Boston, Va., said. “And that’s the sign of a team that’s mature. That’s the sign of a team that’s ready to take advantage of situations. That’s what I’m proud of.”
All three RCR drivers have enjoyed a strong start to the season. After his 20th career win, Burton is fourth in the standings, Harvick fifth and Bowyer ninth as the series prepares for its first break of the year.
Team owner Richard Childress credits that strongt start to a variety of factors.
The crew chiefs – Scott Miller with Burton, Todd Berrier with Harvick and Gil Martin with Bowyer – and engineers have the cars in top form and everyone is working well together. That’s what landed RCR its historic first 1-2-3 finish. And that’s what is making it competitive early this season.
“We’re looking for all the areas we need to improve in, us as a team,” Childress said.
That includes more team meetings, more work to understand the model formerly known as the car of tomorrow and being the frontrunner in some technological advancements.
They’re not talking about championship runs yet, however. Burton points out there are 21 races until that field is set, though he admits that it’s starting to take shape right now.
Right now, RCR is the only team with three drivers in the top nine, a statistic that is drawing some comparisons to the Hendrick
Motorsports group that dominated 2007.
So has RCR become the team to watch and caught that group?
“We’ll talk about that in December,” Burton said. “I can assure you that the 24 [team of Jeff Gordon] didn’t run the way today that you normally see them run here. You wake the sleeping giant, they’re going to be hard to beat. There’s no getting around that.
“We can answer that question in November. We can’t answer it today.”
