Burton Scores a Top-10 Finish in His Kentucky Debut

Following his first career win in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), Jeb Burton and the No. 4 Arrowhead team carried momentum and continued to perform in the Bluegrass State. After ranking top-three in both practice sessions and qualifying in eleventh position, Burton made yet another racing debut during Thursday night’s UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Ending the night with solid top-10 finish, now only 22 points stand between Burton and the NCWTS Driver Point Standings leader.

 

When the No. 4 Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) team arrived at Kentucky Speedway with brand new chassis TSM-602, they knew what the truck was capable of, having tested at the 1.5-mile oval track just weeks before. With fast speeds from both practice and qualifying, Burton and the No. 4 Arrowhead team had few adjustments prior to the race. Once the green flag dropped, however, Burton quickly realized that passing was going to be very difficult at this particular track.

 

Only 27 laps into the start of the UNOH 225, the first caution came out, giving the No. 4 team a great opportunity to pit for tires, fuel and make a track-bar adjustment. Burton maintained speed from the 10th position before the second yellow flag dropped on lap 40. “The off-side feels pretty loose, but it seems to be giving to me a little,” reported Burton to his crew chief, Mike Hillman Jr., who conveyed to Burton that the issue would resolve itself and the team would not pit under caution. At lap 50, Burton was quick to report that the truck was getting better every lap.

 

The third caution of the night occurred on lap 79 and the No. 4 Chevy made its way to pit road to receive four tires, fuel and make a slight air-pressure adjustment. Maintaining speed, the fourth caution allowed Burton to climb to sixth position on lap 89, but it was short-lived as yet another yellow flag dropped only 18 laps later. Receiving two right-side tires, Burton continued to race in the top 10 for the remainder of the race. As the checkered flag waved, the No. 4 Arrowhead Chevy crossed the finish line in ninth position.

 

“It wasn’t the finish we wanted, but the team worked so hard and did great tonight,” said Burton. “A top-10 finish is never a bad thing. It’s just tough not being able to get these guys a back-to-back win.”

 

With a big smile and a pat on the back, Crew chief Hillman Jr. told Burton, “This is how you win a Championship!” TSM team owners Steve Turner and Harry Scott also greeted Burton as he pulled onto the grid following the race.

 

“It means a lot to have everyone’s support. It only makes me more determined to win,” said Burton.

 

Burton’s top-10 finish keeps him locked into second in the NCWTS Driver Point Standings. The NCWTS has a one-week break before returning to action at Iowa Speedway on July 13. The American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen will air live on SPEED at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

 

TSM PR