Mark Martin Makes Heartfelt Tribute to One Of NASCAR’s Most Underrated Driver

Mark Martin, a legend in the world of NASCAR, recently shared an emotional tribute to Jeff Burton. Known for his illustrious career and as one of the greatest drivers never to clinch a championship, Martin’s tribute comes with plenty of weight.

With a career spanning over three decades and 40 victories in NASCAR’s top division, Martin commanded respect on circuits.

Martin’s career had him racing alongside some of NASCAR’s most prominent names, but when asked to name his best teammate during the “On The Marks” podcast, it was Jeff Burton who topped his list. This is a big choice given the range of iconic drivers Martin has worked with, such as Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nonetheless, his choice of Burton points to a remarkable story of teamwork built over the years.

Martin and Burton’s partnership dates back to their time at Roush Racing from 1996 to 2004. The duo spent a considerable amount of time as teammates compared to others, which allowed them to forge a strong professional bond.

Martin has often acknowledged Burton’s ability to build on the team’s overall performance by putting collective success over individual glory. Describing the connection they had on the track, Martin said the following:

“We would all share information at varying degrees. In other words, your best buddy, you would share everything, and that would be Jeff Burton. Why? Because Jeff shared everything with me… When Burton and I got together, it was magic. The guy was just the best teammate you could ever have.”

Jeff Burton’s career was strong in its own right. Competing in the Cup Series from 1993 to 2013, Burton earned 21 Cup Series wins and racked up 134 top-ten finishes. An analytical driver, he was viewed as someone who could offer detailed insights and effective feedback, a strong asset to Roush Racing during their golden years.

Martin appreciated Burton’s consistent willingness to share information and offer support, traits that both saw as essential to their shared success.

“He would run up and volunteer anything to try to help. That’s how he tried to build respect. He believed if he gave, he might get, so he was always trying to give. He had my best interest in my program all the time. Jeff watched out for me and my program, which really helped,” Martin stated.

Roush Racing, now known as Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, enjoyed an incredible run of achievements thanks in part to the synergy between Martin and Burton. The team, founded by Jack Roush in 1988, has carved a place in NASCAR history with championships and a plethora of wins across various series.

Since retiring from full-time racing in 2013, Mark Martin has remained connected to the racing world, supporting the next generations and staying engaged with Late Model racing. His induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017 confirmed his status as a legendary figure. Meanwhile, Burton’s talents have seen him move into motorsport commentating, further proving his versatile understanding of the sport.