Jeff Burton’s Bristol Diary: Friday

Although Friday’s practice results didn’t meet our expectations, I know we’ll be OK come race time. Practice sessions give the teams time to try different setups so they can put the right combination together for the race.

We qualified 37th for tonight’s race but I’m not going to look at that as a poor effort by the team. I look at it as a challenge. We qualified 33rd here in the spring and found a way to finish eighth. My crew chief, Scott Miller, and the No. 31 crew stayed on top of their game and I stayed on top of mine. If we can do the same tonight, we’ll be just fine. 

Race days, in general, tend to be pretty busy leading up to the start of the race. And each race day schedule varies week to week.

Today’s schedule is fairly busy because the race doesn’t start until this evening so I’ll be spending the afternoon visiting with various sponsors and their guests. However, one of my appearances is for a special cause and I can’t wait to meet some of the men and women who fight for our country.

Jack Daniel’s, who sponsors Richard Childress Racing’s No. 07 Chevrolet and Casey Mears, put together a “Toast to the Troops” program. The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee
National Guard, who will be redeployed to the Middle East later this year, and their family members, along with members of the NASCAR community, USO volunteers and Jack Daniel’s employees will
assemble 10,000 USO care packages that will be sent to troops overseas. Clint Bowyer, Casey Mears, Richard Childress and myself will assist in putting together some of the care packages.

Following the “stuffing party,” 10-year Army veteran and country music singer Craig Morgan will perform a free concert for all of the volunteers and fans attending the race. The concert will take place at the Earhart Campground East on the Bristol Motor Speedway property, just outside Turns 1 & 2. Y’all should come out and enjoy the show!

After I get done with my sponsor obligations, I turn my attention to the race. I have a meeting with my team and go over what we learned in practice. Then, we collectively come up with a setup that we think the No. 31 Caterpillar Impala SS will need to be competitive.

Following a trip to NASCAR’s driver and crew chief meeting and a quick trip to my motorhome to spend time with my family, it’s back to the hauler to get geared up for the race.

Tonight’s driver introductions will have a new twist. The race track asked all of the drivers to submit a song that they would like to be introduced to. What a neat idea! The CAT team helped me choose my song and I think it’s fitting because of where we are at. Our choice: “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses. Anytime you put 43 cars on a half-mile oval, crazy things are bound to happen –
somewhat resembling a jungle. I think it’s going to be fun to see what songs some of the other drivers have chosen, especially Clint’s. I have a feeling he chose an Elvis song! I’ll have to wait and see if
I’m right. 

You can expect to see a wild and competitive race tonight. The winner of tonight’s race will have played their strategy right and stayed out of trouble. I hope I’m that guy. I’ll be back Sunday to give you a recap.