Jeff Burton connecting with fans through new Ustream chats

Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

Since joining the social networking site Twitter last month, Jeff Burton has been learning the ropes of social media while interacting directly with NASCAR fans. Starting Saturday, fans will have yet another way to connect with Burton: weekly chats on his new Ustream channel.

The Jeff Burton Ustream channel will go live Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, kicking off the first of a weekly chat series with the Richard Childress Racing driver. Chats are tentatively scheduled for the night before each of the remaining Sprint Cup races this year.

According to the website, chats will feature news and updates from the No. 31 Caterpillar team. Burton will discuss the past week, the next day's race and answer fan questions. Fans can log onto http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jeffburton to submit questions for Burton.

After announcing the chat on his Twitter account, Burton tweeted, "Looking forward 2 interacting w fans on new Jeff Burton UStream channel but I'm new 2 all of this so please be have some patience #nascar."

Burton is still getting the hang of social media. He started tweeting on the @RCR31JeffBurton Twitter account on Aug. 12.

Since joining Twitter, Burton regularly answers fan questions and tweets what's on his mind, whether it's about the current race weekend or his concern for the victims of Hurricane Irene.

Just four days after joining Twitter, Burton was astounded at the response he had received. "I had no idea how many people follow on Twitter. It really means a great deal that u guys follow this closely. Cool stuff is coming," he said, perhaps hinting at the Ustream chats.