Warning: Objects in this post may be the only way to successfully live through the NASCAR off-season. For best results, read rearview mirror early and often.
Driver: Jeff Burton
Team: No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
'08 Final Standing: 6th (-349)
Best Race: Bristol & Charlotte (1st)
Worst Race: Bristol (42nd-place)
Season in a box: 2008 was nothing more than the same old song and dance for Jeff Burton. So much, in fact, that I'm ready to start a lobby for a new nickname for Burton that is both bland and consistent. Ideas, anyone?
Burton wrapped up the 2008 season with two wins to bring his career total to very respectable 21 trips to victory lane, and as usual, with a handful of races to go, many in the NASCAR media were high on the "Burton for championship: '08" bandwagon after his win at Lowe's Motor Speedway moved him to just 69 points back of eventual champion Jimmie Johnson.
But just like in 2006 after he won the Chase's second race at Dover, Burton knocked down some consistent runs but was never in a place to actually compete for a championship.
Regardless, one can easily say 2008 was a good year for Burton -- Top-10 in points, still winning, 7 Top-5's, 18 Top-10s, a new multi-year sponsorship -- and that save for being in contention for the championship, he couldn't have done much better.
Through the crystal windshield: I doubt there's really anyone that expects Jeff Burton's new and improved Caterpillar team (the new '09 sponsor after AT&T's grandfather clause with NASCAR ran out) will fare much better or much worse than in 2008.
Let's face it, Burton is one of those drivers that is incredibly easy to be a fan of because he'll pull off a few victories every season, but won't ever really be in contention for a championship at the late stages of the game, removing any sense of championship heartbreak for No. 31 fans.
So, Burton fans, expect Top-10s, Top-5s, a plethora of Top-20 finishes (he had 32 of those in 2008!) and a few wins, but not a whole lot else.
Next up: Clint Bowyer
