The Buzz: Dec. 4, 2001
December 4, 2001
6:44 PM EST (2344 GMT)
Jeff Burton hopes to have a new NASCAR Busch Series crew chief in place by the end of this week for his No. 9 Roush Racing Gain Ford -- after getting a real eye-opener when Tommy Morgan was released as his team leader after the end of the season.
At last week’s NASCAR Winston Cup awards ceremony, Burton said he couldn’t believe he was besieged with “between 15 and 18 guys that were interested in the position,” Burton said, including “some big names of Winston Cup crew chiefs that I couldn’t believe were coming to us expressing an interest.”
Burton said the economic uncertainty that has led to the closing of teams in all three of NASCAR’s national touring series created some of the glut, but the arduous 36-point race Winston Cup schedule has something to do with it as well.
“Some guys just want to get off the road -- they want to see their kids play basketball or soccer,” Burton said. “What we are offering is to be with a major organization, and to be involved with a Busch and Cup team but only doing 14-15 races.”
Burton said the field had been narrowed to “about three” candidates.
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