Jeff Burton's Daily Log

6/11/2010

Jeff Burton has run 547 Sprint Cup races, with 21 wins and 222 top-10 finishes. He will drive the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevy Impala for Richard Childress Racing in Sunday's Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400.

He writes:

“I can't tell you how excited I am about coming to Michigan International Speedway, even though, statistically, it's been one of my worst tracks on the circuit.

“It has been a track where we have struggled and have not been good at all. It has pushed us, tricked us, and made us mad.

"But, it's a place where we have to find a way to improve. We had some circumstances and have been in some situations that made the finishes look worse than they really were but, overall, Michigan is one of those tracks where we haven't had the speed that other teams have had.

“Racing at Michigan is a blast. I think the thing that really sticks out is the width of the groove. There are a lot of options — you can run all the way down on the white line or run almost up by the wall. You don't have to follow somebody around because it's not a one-groove track. The drivers who have a good handle and can put their cars wherever they want are the guys who can pass a lot of people and be in position to win.

"Every race is a new ball game and, with the way we are running this season, I'd say the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevy will be in the game this weekend."