Burton, RCR Take Control of Food City 500 at BMS

Jeff Burton erased a bad memory Sunday.

In last year’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, the veteran settled for a runner-up finish behind Kyle Busch.

But Burton closed the deal Sunday in stylish fashion, leading the final two laps to seal a historic 1-2-3 finish for Richard Childress Racing drivers in the Food City 500.

"It was the exact same scenario as last year, just a different car in front of me," Burton said. "I thought, ‘Oh, God, not this again.’"

Despite his strong run last spring at BMS, Burton received criticism for not making a more aggressive challenge or even executing a bump-and-run move on Busch.

"Some people questioned why I didn’t take Kyle out, but still think I made the right move," Burton said. "Those things have a way of coming back to you."

Fortune smiled on Burton Sunday, when the car driven by race leader Denny Hamlin stalled with two laps remaining due to an apparent fuel pickup issue. Though Burton led just the final two laps, he was more concerned with the bottom line.

"I’m not going to say we had the fastest car," Burton said. "We put ourself in position to win, and that’s what it takes to win these races. We did all the little things well, with good pit stops, good breaks and good strategy."

The strategy of Burton and his crew chief (Scott Miller) was vital after a spin by Brian Vickers forced a caution period with 11 laps remaining.

Race leader Tony Stewart elected not to pit, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Hamlin made the same risky choice.

Meanwhile, Burton and Kevin Harvick opted for fresh tires.

"It was a pretty easy call for us," Miller said. "We had to make something happen, and [pitting] was our best chance to do that."

Harvick finished second, followed by Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Hamlin.

While Harvick faced a round of post-race questions for wrecking Stewart on lap 498 of the 506-lap race, Burton maintained his smooth style on the wider and smoother BMS concrete surface.

"[Bristol] is the hardest track we go to drive underneath somebody," Burton said. "When Kevin and Tony got together, a door opened up. If we had any shot to win, we had to jump thought it."

"That final restart worked out perfect for us."

It was the first victory at Bristol for Burton, and he admitted that it took away some of the sting of last year’s close call with Busch.

"I could have had a trophy in my case by knocking Kyle of the way, but I chose not to do that," Burton said. "Somebody else might have had the fastest car in this race, but I know that we have the trophy.

"Every win is unique, but I’ll always remember this one. We did all the little things right, and that’s the sign of a team that has matured. I’m proud of that."

Childress was certainly the proudest car owner at BMS Sunday.

"You know, a lot of times just to have three cars finish Bristol is amazing," Childress said.

For the second straight race at BMS, drivers were able to use both the high and low lanes of the 0.533-mile concrete track. That was a big reason why a record 42 cars were still running at the finish.

Stewart led a total of 267 laps, while Hamlin, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, followed with 98 laps led.

After finishing 14th, Stewart was asked about his costly incident with Harvick.

"I thought I left him plenty of room, but I don’t know," Stewart said. "I was far enough ahead of him that I didn’t see where or when he hit me. I’m sure it was somehow my fault. I’m just sorry I got in his way."

Earnhardt and his army of fans were also hoping for a better finish.

"To work as hard as we did and not win the race is a little disappointing," Earnhardt said.

While network television announcers repeatedly billed the race as a sellout of over 160,000, there were a sizable number of empty seats.

Burton offered a positive review to the wider and gentler BMS surface "I’m a huge fan of this facility," Burton said. "If you want to come watch wrecks, you’re probably happier at the old [Bristol] racetrack. If you want to watch racing, this racetrack’s better.

"This place lets you breathe a little more. You can go around guys now instead of having to go through them."

Sunday’s final act by Burton proved that point.