We’re back for season two of Off the Wall With… and we’ve got five brand-new, off-track questions for your favorite racing personalities! This week, NASCAR XFINITY Series & Sprint Cup driver Jeb Burton takes his turn in the hot seat. While Burton’s full-time XFINITY ride is on hold with Richard Petty Motorsports, a sponsorship issue announced earlier this week he’s found a temporary home at Pocono with the No. 32 Go FAS Racing Ford. Burton will start the Cup race Sunday and then go week-to-week as a driver for hire based on funding and opportunities.
What was your first race car and what number was it?
Jeb Burton: My first race car was a late model stock and it was No. 27. It wasn’t my favorite number, but my dad [Ward] ran the No. 27 XFINITY car one time and I just got it from that.
What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you during a race?
Burton: Probably having studs out of the hub come out on the car and give it a hell of a vibration at Pocono last year. That was pretty crazy.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
Burton: I think it was Jason Aldean, five years ago. When I was younger, that’s what I listened to.
What’s the best practical joke you were ever involved in, as either perpetrator or victim?
Burton: Probably shooting water balloons at somebody with a water balloon launcher one time. It was on some of my family.
What was the worst thing you hid from your parents as a kid?
Burton: That I didn’t do my homework, but only a couple times.
Off The Wall | What was your first race car and what number was it? | What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you during a race? | What was the first concert you ever attended? | What’s the best practical joke you were ever involved in, as either perpetrator or victim? | What was the worst thing you hid from your parents as a kid? |
Ray Black, Jr. | No. 4 Mini-Cup | Lights went out during race | Eric Church | Huge water fight at Homestead | “BB” gun |
David Ragan | No. 77 Bandolero | Throwing up in the car | Doobie Brothers & Tom Petty | Rather watch than be involved | Nothing! |
Casey Mears | No. 10 Super Lite off-road | A guy running onto the track under a red flag | Soul Asylum | Being in a van when Sterling Marlin threw a quarter-stick of dynamite under it | “Borrowing” dad’s Jeep at 14 when parents were out of town |
Chris Buescher | No. 67 dirt bike | Being upside down in a Legends car | Can’t remember exactly | Putting the wrong name on the windshield | Tore up truck playing in the snow |
Gray Gaulding |
No. 07 (Bobby Dotter’s Number) | Trying to avoid the Big One at Daytona | Jason Aldean | Pranking manager Rusty | Drove a family friend’s car down the street at age 8 |
Brendan Gaughan | No. 13 Superlite | Huge fire in pits at Richmond | Chicago…with Mom | Filling a high school teacher’s car with paper | Hid a speeding ticket from Dad |
Growing up in Easton, Pa., Zach Catanzareti has grown his auto racing interest from fandom to professional. Joining Frontstretch in 2015, Zach enjoys nothing more than being at the track, having covered his first half-season of 18 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. With experience behind the wheel, behind the camera and in the media center, he thrives on being an all-around reporter.