Burton Gets To Drive Harvick’s 2010 Michigan Winner This Week
Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 288 from the RCR Sprint Cup Series stable. A former #29 racer, teammate Kevin Harvick raced this chassis eight times in 2010, earning three top-five and six top-10 finishes. The top-five runs included second-place finishes at Auto Club Speedway (2/21) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (7/25) and Harvick’s win at Michigan (8/15). Most recently, this RCR entry competed at Pocono Raceway last weekend where Harvick scored a fifth-place finish.
I think the urgency from Richard Childress to get Burton some quick wins — and make the Chase that way — forced this move. It will be very hard for the No. 31 team to mess this car up and makes them an instant contender. When I saw the team press release I immediately made several driver matchup bets on Burton and also took him at 50-to-1 to win the race.
I’m interested to see how Harvick feels about this and also to see how many more times Childress rolls this strategy out. RCR truly defines the word “team” with this move and I love it
Fantasy Racing Pros 
Ryan Rantz 4:38 pm on June 16, 2011 Permalink |
I hope he doesn’t wreck it for Harvick. Traditionally Burton is always a fast starter but come mid season he’s done. It’s a good thing for Burton but don’t see him winning any races this year. He had tons of chances last year and never capitalized.
Jordan McAbee 10:24 pm on June 16, 2011 Permalink |
I could be completely wrong, but I don’t think this is going to make a difference at all…
Micah Roberts 11:03 pm on June 16, 2011 Permalink |
Ryan, Jordan, I am shocked to see you believe that it’s all about the driver and not the car. It’s usually 85% about the car on a down force track.
Ryan Rantz 2:42 pm on June 17, 2011 Permalink
My take on it is the old “If you put lip stick on a pig it’s still a pig”. I’m confident he’s had competitive cars underneath him this year. I’m sure he’s not the exception at RCR. I think lots of the mistakes have been on him this year. My prediction is that if he runs good Sunday he’ll probably get caught speeding exiting pit road.
Jordan McAbee 12:10 pm on June 18, 2011 Permalink
That other 15% is what makes me believe it won’t make a difference. Mid-teens at best for Burton tomorrow I think.
Micah Roberts 1:29 pm on June 18, 2011 Permalink
He sure didn’t show anything during practice or Q; hope he’s sand-bagging! Likely will try to get off portion of earlier wagers somehow when matchups open back up Sunday morning.