Chase Elliott and Jeb Burton have very famous fathers in the NASCAR world. Both youngsters are adamant though, their careers will be made on their own skills, their own hard work.
And both were hard at work Tuesday during a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series test session at Martinsville Speedway in advance of the Kroger 250 on April 6.
“Nope, not at all,” 17-year-old Chase Elliott responded when asked if being the son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott would create any pressure in his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway on April 6.
“He’s my dad and I’m me and I’m trying to make a name for myself. I’m going to try to do my best no matter what.”
Burton agreed.
“Chase and I are trying to make a name for ourselves,” said Burton. “It’s good to have our fathers in the sport and helps us as much as they can, but once we get into the race car, it’s our own destiny.
“My dad has raised me the best he can, to be respectful of people. He tries to help me on the race track as much as he can and sometimes that is a battle between us. I’m sure Chase has been through the same thing. He wants the best for me, though, and I know Chase’s dad does for him.”
Both of the youngsters’ fathers had amazing NASCAR careers. Bill Elliott was the 1988 Cup Series champion and had 55 Cup wins in his career. Ward Burton recorded five Cup wins over 17 years, including the 1992 Daytona 500 and the 1991 Southern 500. Ironically neither of the two older drivers ever fared well on Martinsville’s difficult half-mile oval.
This season will be the younger Elliott’s first foray into one of NASCAR’S top three national touring divisions. He has nine NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races scheduled, including both of the series events at Martinsville. A year ago he raced in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series where he picked up a win and finished fourth in the series standings. In 2010 he raced in 40 events in various series and captured 12 victories and 38 top 10s. In February of 2011 he signed a developmental contract with Hendrick Motorsports. He is driving for the Hendrick organization this year.
The 20-year-old Burton is running the entire Camping World Truck Series schedule this year and came out of the gates amazingly strong three weeks ago with a fifth-place finish in the season opener in Daytona.
Burton grew up in South Boston, an hour east of Martinsville Speedway and cut his teeth at South Boston Speedway, which all makes the Kroger 250 bigger than most events for him.
“Coming here, my hometown track, with a bunch of family and fans here and it’s going to be short-track racing and that’s what I was brought up on … so we need to get out of here with another top-5 finish and keep our momentum,” said Burton.
Elliott and Burton were two of five drivers testing at Martinsville Speedway Tuesday. Others included Miquel Paludo, James Buescher and Caleb Holman. All five will return Wednesday for a second day of testing and will be joined by Bryan Silas and Scott Riggs.
The testing is open to the public free of charge.
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