NASCAR legend Mark Martin recently shared a touching tribute to Jeff Burton. Martin is known for his illustrious career and one of the best drivers never to win a championship. His honor is given much weight.
With a career spanning more than 30 years and 40 wins in NASCAR’s premier division, Martin has been honored on the track. Martin’s career has seen him race alongside some of the biggest names in NASCAR, but when asked on the On The Marks podcast to name his best teammate, it was Jeff Burton who topped his list . Given the range of popular drivers Martin has worked with, such as Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., this is an excellent choice. But his choice of button reflects the remarkable history of teamwork that has developed over the years. Martin and Burton’s partnership began at Roush Racing from 1996 to 2004. The two played more as teammates than others, which allowed them to form a strong professional bond.
Martin often credited Burton’s ability to increase the team’s overall performance by prioritizing collective success over individual glory. Martin described their bond on the road:“We all shared information to varying degrees. In other words, your best friend, the person you share everything with, was none other than Jeff Burton. Why? Because Jeff shared everything with me…Burton and I being together was magical. This guy was on the best team you could ever have.”Jeff Burton’s career has been strong in its own right. Burton competed in the Cup Series from 1993 to 2013, earning 21 Cup Series wins and 134 top-10 finishes. As an analytical driver, he was seen as someone who could provide detailed insight and effective feedback, a great asset during the golden era of Roush Racing.
Martin praised Burton’s constant willingness to share information and support, qualities they both considered essential to their shared success. “He ran over and did everything he could to help. In this way he tried to build respect. He always tried to give because he believed that if he gives, he will receive. He was always interested in my program. Jeff focused on me and my schedule and was very helpful,” Martin said. Roush Racing, now known as Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, had exceptional results thanks to the synergy between Martin and Burton.
Founded by Jack Roush in 1988, the team has cemented its place in NASCAR history with championship wins and numerous wins in various series. Since retiring from full-time racing in 2013, Mark Martin has remained connected to the racing world, supporting the next generation and participating in Late Model Racing. His legendary status was cemented when he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017. Burton’s talents also saw him translate into an understanding of motorsports, further proving that he has a comprehensive understanding of sport.
