Jeff Burton to make 1,000th career NASCAR start at Phoenix

WELCOME, N.C. (November 5, 2013)- Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 @CATMining Chevrolet, will make his 1,000th-career NASCAR start when the Sprint Cup Series heads to Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013.

During a NASCAR career spanning more than 25 years, Burton has amassed 48 wins including victories in the Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The South Boston, Va., native has earned more than 250 top-five and 400 top-10 finishes, was named the 1994 Sprint Cup Series "Rookie of the Year" and co-piloted the No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet to the 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series owner's championship.

"It's hard for me to imagine that I have driven in 1,000 NASCAR races," said Burton. "I've been lucky and blessed to have family and friends that have given me all this support. I also have good relationships with everyone that I've worked with over the years to show for it, which is most important to me."

Overall, the 46-year-old driver has made 689 Sprint Cup Series starts along with 306 starts in the Nationwide Series and four starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driving for Richard Childress Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and the Stavola Brothers among others. Burton is the last driver to lead 100 percent of the laps in a NASCAR-sanctioned event, pacing the field for all 300 laps en route to victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2000 and was the 2007 NASCAR Illustrated "Person of the Year." He currently sits 19th in the 2013 Sprint Cup Series driver championship point standings on the strength of two top-five and six top-10 finishes.

"It makes it even sweeter to reach this milestone at Phoenix International Raceway where we have had a lot of success over the years," added Burton. "The No. 31 @CATMining Chevrolet team had a top-10 finish in March at Phoenix and tested there recently. We expect to contend for the win this weekend."

Richard Childress Racing