Burton named NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year
Richard Childress Racing driver Jeff Burton has been named the 2007 NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year.
The December issue of the monthly magazine, a sister publication of NASCAR Scene, recognizes Burton as an authority in the garage, a "master negotiator and the voice of the drivers."
Burton has helped spark a turnaround at RCR, a team that went from struggling when he joined it in 2004 to one that put all three of its teams in this year's Chase For The Nextel Cup, NASCAR's 10-race, title-determining segment of the season. Burton's philanthropic efforts, including his work raising more than $1 million for the Duke's Children's Hospital, were also noted.
"It's a big honor for me," said Burton, who finished eighth in the standings this season. "... It means a great deal to me, I love this sport, love being part of it, and if someone recognizes me for something, I hold that in high regard, and I appreciate it."
