NASCAR Driver Jeff Burton to Sign Autographs at Chiefs Game June 16

Peoria, IL- The Peoria Chiefs and Caterpillar have announced that NASCAR star Jeff Burton of Richard Childress Racing and driver of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet Impala SS, will throw out a first pitch and sign autographs before the Chiefs game on Thursday, June 16. Burton will sign autographs on the concourse beginning at 5:30 p.m. and throw out a first pitch prior to the 7:00 p.m. Thirsty Thursday game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Tickets are currently available by calling 1-866-MYTICKET, online and at the Box Office from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Burton, 43, is a native of South Boston, Virginia, and has won 21 races in NASCAR's top series, with his last title coming October 11, 2008 at Charlotte. He has qualified for NASCAR's Chase for the Championship four times in the last five years, finishing seventh in 2006 and 2010, eighth in 2007 and sixth in 2008. He finished in the top five for four straight years from 1997-2000 with a career best season rank of third in 2000. Burton has recorded six poles and 237 top-10 finishes in over 17 seasons in the Sprint Cup Series. He also has 27 career Nationwide Series wins with an additional 153 top-10 finishes and 10 pole positions. After driving for car owner Jack Roush for eight and a half years, Burton signed with Richard Childress Racing in mid-summer, 2004.

On April 19, 2011, Burton reached an agreement on a multiyear contract extension to remain as driver of the No. 31 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing and Caterpillar. Caterpillar began its partnership with the No. 31 RCR car prior to the 2009 Spring Cup Series season. Burton and the No. 31 team qualified for the Chase in 2010 and have earned 11 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes since the Caterpillar partnership began. The No. 31 Cat Racing team also earned the victory in the second of the two Duel 150 qualifying races for the 2011 Daytona 500.

Caterpillar has been a sponsor in NASCAR since 1993. Caterpillar was a team sponsor in the Nationwide Series from 1995-1996 before moving to the Cup Series in 1997. Its relationship with RCR began in 2009. The brother of former NASCAR driver Ward Burton, Jeff made his Sprint Cup Series debut at New Hampshire on July 11, 1993 and has participated in 583 Sprint Cup starts through 2010 including 17 Daytona 500s. Ward Burton won the 2002 Daytona 500 for Caterpillar and made a similar appearance at O'Brien Field that summer.

Thursday June 16 is a Thirsty Thursday with the Chiefs presented by Sully's Pub and Brewers Distributing/Bud Light. All 16 ounce domestic drafts and fountain sodas are just $2.00 all game long. June 16 is also a Salute to the 1990s Championship winning Chicago Bulls with game highlights, trivia and much more surrounding the 20th anniversary of the 1991 title team and the 15th anniversary of the 1996 title team.