By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
JR Motorsports debuted their next part-time driver for 2019 Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway when Jeb Burton made his first start with the team in the My Bariatric Solutions 300.
And the day ended near the front for the Virginian, who battled for the lead at one point in the final stage before settling into a fifth-place finish.
The result, coming in just his second NASCAR race of the year, was his first top five since 2017 in the Xfinity Series.
“It was fun being back in good equipment and showing what I can do,” Burton said. “We missed it on the long run but we got it better and better and we ran top five all day.”
The strong run wasn’t a surprise to Burton, who not only had confidence in his equipment but also the track. Burton won his only career Gander Outdoors Truck race at Texas in 2013.
“I’ve always run well here. It’s fit my driving style,” he said. “They change the track, repave it and we still run good here. It was a good day for all the hell I’ve been through. It was fun.”
After that “hell”, the son of 2002 Daytona 500 champion Ward Burton is relishing in the opportunity to
“I’ve raced with some good teams, but for me as a person and where I’m at, this is definitely my best opportunity,” he said. “We’re working hard to get a couple more races. This definitely didn’t hurt anything. We’ll keep digging and hopefully, more good things will come.”
With four races remaining in the JRM No. 8 Chevrolet, Burton wouldn’t mind seeing more of Saturday’s speed moving forward.
“Hopefully, we can top five them to death these five races,” he said, “and maybe slip up on a win.”