09-24-2006: Long-awaited Return To Victory Lane Vaults Burton To Top Of The Standings
Source: GM Media


Jeff Burton Wins At Dover; Chevy Monte Carlo SS Drivers Capture Five Of Top-10 Finishing Positions

DOVER, Del. – Jeff Burton, No. 31 Cingular Wireless Monte Carlo SS, made the winning pass with just six laps remaining in the Dover 400 to capture his 18th NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (NNCS) career victory. After 175 races without a win, Burton's long-awaited return to victory lane is his first since joining for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in late 2004. It is the 17th NNCS win for Chevy this season.

"I am just so appreciative of Cingular and all my sponsors and everybody on this car that stuck with us through some times that weren't so good," said Burton. I just want to thank Richard (Childress) for believing in me and for all the hard work that this team has done to resurrect our team and brought me back with it and I am so appreciative of it. I will take the points lead and a great weekend for RCR with the sweep, it is really good. I am really proud of the effort of everybody at RCR, not just my Cingular Chevrolet team, but all 360 employees at RCR. They have all stepped it up and are doing an incredible job."

The win is the third consecutive NNCS win for the Monte Carlo SS teams fielded by RCR; it comes on the heels of Kevin Harvick's (No. 29 Reese's/GM Goodwrench Monte Carlo SS) victories at Richmond, Va. and Loudon, N.H.

The win in round two of the Chase for the Nextel Cup championship (round 28 of the 2006 NNCS) puts Burton on top of the point standings, six points ahead of four-time NNCS champion Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Monte Carlo SS).

RCR swept both races at Dover International Speedway this weekend when Clint Bowyer, No. 2 AC Delco Monte Carlo SS captured his first NASCAR Busch Series win of the season on Saturday. Bowyer, No. 07 DIRECTV Monte Carlo SS, finished seventh in today's NNCS race.

"Chevrolet congratulates Jeff Burton on his much anticipated victory,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “We are so proud of the hard work from all our Chevy drivers and teams this season and today we celebrate with Richard Childress Racing and the entire No. 31 team on this hard-fought and long-awaited win. What an exciting finish. We salute them on their success.”

Gordon, who started on the pole, finished third in today's race and jumped from fourth in the standings to second.

Team Chevy Raybestos Rookie contenders Martin Truex, Jr., No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Monte Carlo SS, Bowyer and Denny Hamlin, No. 11 FedEx Ground Monte Carlo SS, finished sixth, eighth and ninth respectively.

Chevrolet has already clinched the 2007 Manufacturers' Cup title in NNCS competition.

Bowtie drivers currently hold four of the top-five positions in the Chase. Following Burton and Gordon are Matt Kenseth (Ford), Hamlin and Harvick.

The series travels to Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. for the third round of the Chase and race 29 of the 36-race season.