rpm.espn.com: Rules, Roush will play roles

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Monday, December 17
Rules, Roush will play roles
ESPN.com

We asked RPM.ESPN.com users to share their thoughts about whether Jeff Burton could contend for the Winston Cup title in 2002. Here are some of the responses:

I think that the Citgo 99 team will be in good contention for the 2002 Championship. They had a bad start in 2001 but they proved they had what it takes to make it over the hurdles. They are a great team and work very well together. I think that Jeff Burton and the Citgo 99 team will take the 2002 Championship.

Vicki Schiyer
Port Charlotte, Fla.

Yes, I certainly think he can put it behind him. He is still in his prime and doesn't let a bad steak keep him down, he showed that this year. Some drivers get bad luck and ride it year in and year out, Burton is not one of those drivers. In the 2002 season he will be back in the top-5 and will be in the fight for the top spot.

Marty Moose
Hampton, Va.

2002 might be a good year for Burton, but I'm putting my money on Mark Martin to finish ahead of him.

John Kyle
Belmont, W.V.

Don't think so. Jeff is a top-10 finisher, but I don't see a championship in his future.

Ron Nedeau
Laconia, N.H.

Jeff will be a contender for the title next year ... if Goodyear doesn't change the tire compounds again on him.

Kerry Gross
Beatrice, Neb.

Jeff Burton will without doubt make his presence known in the hunt for the 2002 Winston Cup championship. He and his team wisely used the misfortune they experienced at the start of 2001 to rally to a 10th place points finish and accumulated more points in the second half of the season than any other driver aside from 2nd-place Tony Stewart. I am confident that the Awards Banquet will find NASCAR's best gathering to honor Jeff Burton at the close of 2002 on his first of many Winston Cup championships.

Lesley Sherman
Albany, LA

Jeff had a horrible season in 2001. He and his team are strong enough and have the financial support that they can bounce back with a strong season in 2002. All the Roush teams seemed to be off this year. You can bet the bank that Jack Roush is not going to let that happen again. Jeff is the best driver he has and if they get things clicking they have the potential to win the championship.

Jim Koesters
Dayton OH

Burton will not seriously contend until Roush cuts back on the mega-racing money-grabbing conglomerate that Jeff is unfortunately a part of. Their whole deal is too spread out, too many irons in the fire. If Martin or Burton step out of line, they will be replaced by the flavor of the day. But hey, a paycheck is a paycheck, right?

Bob Vander-weg
Hopkinsville, Kent.

No, he can not. First of all, he drives a Ford. They are allowed only one Cup title per every eight to 10 races. Second. he drives for NASCAR's resident thorn, Jack Roush. Those two factors will along with Jeff Gordon needing three titles to tie the other great drivers, Kevin Harvick in the Intimidator's old car, needing a title for good measure. And of course DEI. Jr. will get one or two titles to make everyone feel good. That doesn't leave enough left before Burton retires. Brother Ward has a better chance of getting the Dodge token title. But that will most likely come from the Evernham group.

Joseph E. Willett II
Evansville In.

I think that if Jeff Burton and teammate Mark Martin would work better together they can turn around their poor showing in 2001 to two top-5 drivers in 2002.

Brian Martin
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I think Jeff Burton will be in the top-5 in points, but probably not a championship. I think the championship will be between Kevin Harvick and Little E. Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and Burton will be the rest of the top-5.

Jason Cooper
Oxford, Ala.

Jeff could win the championship if NASCAR evens the rules out and takes away the advantage Chevy and Dodge have. Give everyone the same two inches in the front and the Fords would not be at such a disadvantage.

Michael LaHair
Prattville, Ala.

As long as he is a member of Jack Roush, he doesn't have a chance, just like poor Mark Martin.

Steve Cooper
Lebanon, Ind.

Unfortunately, I believe Jeff does not qualify well enough and starts too far back too many times. When consistently starting in back so much, he is more liable to run into trouble from rookie and less qualified drivers. I wish him luck, however, I feel his teammate, Mark Martin, should win the Championship FIRST.

Jeanne Bergmann
The Villages, Fla.

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