Jeff Burton has expressed a desire to be a U.S. Senator after his Nextel Cup career.


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    BURTON: Racing success can help with voters

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    By Dustin Long

   

    The Roanoke Times

   

    Jeff Burton cringes as he discusses the Presidential election. It's one
argument after another, he says, voice rising, and no details on how either
candidate plans to enact change. Burton says he could do better.

    Although he's not likely to retire as a Nextel Cup driver anytime soon,
36-year-old Burton says he'd like to be a U.S. Senator one day. If so, says
one political analyst, Burton needs to begin working toward that goal
today.

    Burton's desire isn't unique. A few sports stars have gone to Washington
after their athletic careers ended, but those in racing have not reached as
far. Richard Petty served 16 years as a county commissioner before losing
his bid for secretary of state in North Carolina in 1996.

    NASCAR's popularity could change that dynamic. As more drivers become
celebrities and the sport's fan base gains political strength, competitors
could have an easier time entering politics. Former NASCAR official Kevin
Triplett is running for Virginia's Ninth Congressional District seat and
relies on his racing background to reach voters against 11-term incumbent
U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher.

    Although Burton has no political background, he says he could be a viable
candidate.

    "I truly feel that I could be objective, and I truly believe that I
wouldn't serve a party or serve a group other than the people that I
represent, and I don't think a lot of people do that," he said.

    "You don't have to be a full-time politician to do the right thing. To do
the right thing is doing best for the people that you represent. It's
common sense. Why make it more complicated than it has to be? Do the right
thing."

    That was supposedly the intention of the country's forefathers, but a
system that includes lobbyists, special-interest groups and major donors
makes Burton's idea seem naive.

    "It is naive," he said. "But it should be naive. We
should expect the
people that represent us only have our interest in mind. That shouldn't be
a dream. That should be reality."

    Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political analyst, says that if
Burton's dream is to become reality, then the Virginia native who lives in
North Carolina should not wait until he retires to choose his path.

    "They need to pick a state," said Sabato, who adds that North
Carolina's
rural demographics better suits a NASCAR driver rather than does Virginia,
which looks more toward government experience in its candidates.

    "You can't parachute in and win. You pick a state and when you're in that
state, you stay active. You turn up at party functions. You contribute
money. You start building chips."

    Burton is active in Republican Triplett's bid to unseat Democrat Boucher in
the Ninth District. Burton has appeared with Triplett in public. Burton
also has contributed $2,000 to Triplett's campaign, matching donations of
NASCAR Chairman Brian France, car owner Joe Gibbs, and former champions
Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett and Tony Stewart, according to Federal Election
Commission data.

    Bob Denton, professor and director of Rice Center for Leader Development at
Virginia Tech, says Burton shouldn't be worried about getting started now
if he plans to race for another 10 years before entering politics.

    "Ten years in politics is, good heavens, light years," Denton
said. "Almost
every six months is a light year in politics. Things can change. If you
don't believe that, look at Howard Dean. What I do find interesting is
someone would start dropping that hint. More actors and more celebrities
seem to be doing that."

    Already a 17-time winner on the Cup circuit heading into this weekend's
race at Martinsville Speedway, Burton's clout could grow with a long,
successful racing career.

    "If there is a popular individual that people have seen over the years in
sports or otherwise and they like them ... that can be a powerful
motivator," Denton said. "When people say, 'How in the world did
California elect [Arnold] Schwarzenegger?' more people knew him and liked
him than disliked him."

    Kim Burton, who has been married to Jeff for 12 years and been with him for
22 years, says she wouldn't be surprised to see her husband in the U.S.
Senate some day.

    "He's achieved everything I've ever heard him say he's wanted to do with
the exception of winning a championship," she said. "I don't put
it past him. I wouldn't say it was a fleeting fancy. He's been saying it
for a long time."

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