FONTANA, CALIF. -- Ward Burton and the NetZero Racing team finished in 31st place in the Labor Day weekend running of the Pop Secret 500 at California Speedway Sunday evening.

48 cars were vied for 43 starting spots during qualifying on Friday afternoon and as the first competitor to take to the track, Burton ran a speed of 182.131 miles per hour around the 2.0-mile track. Unfortunately, that speed was not quick enough to make the event on time and Burton and the NetZero Racing team were forced to take a provisional starting spot to make the race.

With an afternoon start and temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the green flag flew for the start of the event. Burton immediately communicated to the crew that the NetZero/Fear Factor Chevrolet was loose. While he was able to pick up several spots in the opening laps of the race, Burton began to lose ground, and by the time the first caution flag of the day was thrown, he held down 37th place. Crew chief Bill Ingle made plans to make track bar and wedge adjustments to the car and had the opportunity to make the changes during a lap 29 pit stop. Unfortunately, Burton struggled with the car all evening, despite the crew’s efforts to adjust the car during every possible opportunity. Burton eventually took the checkered flag in the 31st spot.

“I’m not really sure what the problem was today, but we were just so loose for most of the race I couldn’t keep up with anybody out there,” said Burton. “I know the guys made a lot of changes to the car to try and make it better, but nothing seemed to work as well as we needed it to. We need to get back to the shop and do our homework so we can improve at this type of track in the future.”

The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series returns to Richmond (Va.) International Raceway next weekend for the running of the Chevy Rock and Roll 400. Saturday evening’s event will be broadcast live on TNT television and MRN radio beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

ABOUT NETZERO…

NetZero is a United Online company. United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD), is the nation's leading provider of value-priced Internet access services through its NetZero, Juno and BlueLight Internet consumer brands. The company's standard services are offered at less than half the standard prices of its major competitors and are available in more than 6,500 cities across the United States and in Canada. United Online is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, with offices in New York City, San Francisco and Hyderabad, India. For more information about NetZero and United Online, visit http://www.unitedonline.net. To obtain a NetZero CD, please call 1-800-DEFENDER.