Ward Burton Chat Transcript

Room: Daytona Champions
Date: 01/25/2008
Start Time: 9:45
Stop Time: 11:15

Moderator: Welcome to today's Champions Chat with Ward Burton delivered by UPS. Ward will be joining us shortly. Today's chat will be moderated, so your questions will not show up until they are approved. Please ask as many questions as you want. Ward will try and answer all of them.

Moderator: You can begin asking your questions, as soon as Ward joins us he will be begin chatting.

Shooter: Ward, take us back ... what was going through your mind when you saw Sterling get out of his car on that red flag?!?!?

Moderator: Ward has joined us, please go ahead and ask your questions!!

Ward Burton: well... ah ..sterling and i raced back to the line - i think he beat me by about 2 feet - by the time he and jeff gordon had gotten together -at the time i thought he was pretty daggon smart - i mean he really didn't have anything to lose - so i ah - thought it was pretty funny and insightful that he tried to fix it on his own

sunmom13: Hello Ward

Ward Burton: hello

Shooter: Ward, what do you have lined up for 2008?

Ward Burton: i have no racing whatsoever lined up for myself... i'd love to have the opportunity to take to the horse race - but i did surprise my son with a brand new gooseneck and a brand new race car that we're going to start running laps - i guess i'm following my father's footsteps and giving my sons the same opportunity he gave me

Shooter: Tell us about the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation and what's new with that?

Ward Burton: well we've got a whole lot of progress going on - we've got new acreage we're adding on and internships with VA Tech and we've also created a program called Connect that starts in middle school - getting them connected with environmental fields they can go in - we're really excited about that - we're also trying to take down a dam - trying to open dialogue up so we can be some environmental watch dogs here locally - Governor of VA has $4,000 to put towards environmental issues and so we're looking forward to his contributions ... i could go on and on and on but i've got a great staff on board and i spend hours a week to work with my foundation so it is definitely a passion and a love and by the way we are going to be holding two fundraisers - one on earth day in the spring and one in early fall - that's inviting what we call charter sponsors - we'll have bow/arrow tournaments, shooting tournaments - it will be a great way to have fun and make a little bit of money for the foundation.

sunmom13: Besides winning the Daytona 500 was there another win that comes to your mind as being real special?

Ward Burton: you know the first win at Rockingham - it came so quickly - it was very special. but because it came so quickly i don't think i cherished it as much as some of the others. I'd say the Southern 500 in Darlington was really special - we kind of ruled the roost there for a while - but there were a couple when we should have won - that was a neat race track and .. i mean all of them were special - certainly the last race i won at new hampshire - i didn't think that would be the last one.. but i feel lucky to have been able to achieve what i have on and off the track through racing

Shooter: Do you know yet what tracks (assuming South Boston) the Burton Late Model will run?

Ward Burton: well we're going to start running thousands of laps at Boston, we're also going to race Orange County which is where Jeff and i raced a lot - my son is 15 years old so we have a lot of practicing to do - the first week he turns 16 we'll be at South Boston...

ktc2237: Ward, what are your feelings on the recent closure of your former team, Morgan-McClure Motorsports?

Ward Burton: you know - i'm really sad for Tim and Larry and just as importantly if not more importantly - the gentlemen that have given everything for that team are now trying to figure out how they are going to support their families - Larry and Tim have put a lot of their own resources into the team - i think just looking back they didn't have the financial support that they needed to keep up with others in the sport - it is quite dismal but you have to really have your act together in a lot of different ways to stay in this business

mac2008: What did you do over the offseason?

Ward Burton: well - i did a lot of hunting - i'm starting to run a trap line - bout two weeks ago - so i spent a lot of time in the woods, a lot of time wiht my children - i've got quite a few conservation projects going on - working hard with DGIF trying to get that going in the right direction with the board and a couple other interesting business ventures that have something to do with preserving our natural resources as well as being energy friendly and being a little bit non-profit and for-profit so it will probably take up some of my time - it shoudlbe a good thing not only for virginia but also for the country. My son's late model efforts will be fun to be involved with Jeff and getting involved with the sponsors - i'm seeing Harrison and Jeff spend more time together - I'm looking forward to that a lot. Harrison's quarter-midget and Jeff's late model effort is going to be fun - something we should have done a long time ago, you know?

gmss0205: What is your favorite and least favorite track on the circuit?

Ward Burton: i would say Sear's Point - i did have some decent success there but my favorite i would say Rockingham, Daytona - Darlington - Rockingham definitely if i had to single out one - if there was going to be a new track built - it is an exciting track to drive but it is also great for fans because there isn't a bad seat in the house.

ktc2237: What are your plans for the 50th running of the Daytona 500? Are you going to be at the track?

Ward Burton: i actually got an email yesterday and i've been tryin to figure out how to get down there - they want all past winners there friday, sat, sunday - not being in a race car is not exactly fun - but i'm not to my seventies yet where i'm okay with not running yet

Racin Robin: Hi Ward! I think you'd be great in the trucks! Would you ever consider racing trucks?

Ward Burton: you know i'm not going to say no when it comes to racing or a lot of other things - but i don't know - the biggest thing i know is that i know what it costs to get to and from the tracks and i know what insurance costs, etc - but after leaving Winston Cup/NEXTEL Cup - just the disability insurance alone is expensive so the biggest thing is the financial and you're going to have to make 100% commitment - so i'm not going to say no but it would have to be a really big deal. I will say that the truck series is really a great opportunity and i'm thinking it would be great for my son Jeb...

sunmom13: I agree with you that shouldn't be your last win!! Is your youngest son, Ashton as interested in racing as Jeb?

Ward Burton: no he's not - he's only six and it wouldn't bother me a bit if it stays that way - he's got quite a different personality that Jeb and I do - he is like a sponge with learning though so i know he's going to be dynamic at whatever he does decide to do - he goes on rabbit hunts with me and duck hunting with me when it isn't too cold - we need more kids out there who have someone, daddy/uncle that will take 'em outdoors - but so he's not getting left behind in that way

Shooter: Any hunting success to report?!?

Ward Burton: i got a decent little 8 pointer the first reason of regular season - i've been passing up a few white tails - my son Jeb has been giving me such a hard time the last few years about not shooting anything - but after i got one 'bout 19 inches and Jeb hasn't said anything since

Racin Robin: Ward, we will definitely miss you on the track. Things just won't be the same without you out there. But please know that we will still be here to support you with your Wildlife Foundation!

RacingRockStar318: With so many of the drivers loving Rockingham -- Do you think it will ever be a part of the the schedule again?

Ward Burton: I don't know - I don't know why it ever didn't become part of the regular schedule - but ah - obviously there are a lot of factors moving the sport that aren't necessarily based on tradition

Wisconsin Sue: Good Morning Ward did you ever talk to Sterling about when he got out of car ? i did a little bit - yeah - again if you look back on it - he was a pretty quick thinker - you know when he and jeff got together right passed the start/finish line - i saw the fender on the front tire about 2.5 miles so there was no way he was going to be able to make a couple more laps with any speed so - he probably sat there for a minute minute and a half and he jumped out so fast - you never know though if NASCAR hadn't seen it - you never know

sunmom13: I was wondering if you'd be watching the Daytona 500 like most of us here? I have already heard of plans to bring back the signs..the "Where's Ward?" ones..

Ward Burton: i am always very interested in watching the 500 - it's full of emotion, the first race of the season - it's called the Great American Race - full of tradition - especially when it's a first time winner it is a really neat thing to watch - a really neat time

ktc2237: All five of your Cup Series wins were with Bill Davis Racing, why do you think you were so successful with Bill?

Ward Burton: when i first got with him, you know, it was the old Pontiac style 94/95 the cars just handled good - we had a good handle on what the car needed and we were successful right off the bat - Chris and I couldn't get the balance figured out once they changed the style - once they brought Tommy on board i think we finished 2nd at Charlotte, finished 2nd to Jeff a couple times when we should've won... Obviously my past relationship with Caterpillar brought them on board - so it was just a good relationship - stilll to this day don't know all of the politics that went down to make things end the way they did - but i guess i wouldn't be talking to all of you if it hadn't - i'd be in Daytona right now!

Dale Jr rules: Heres a question about the current state of NASCAR, we miss seeng you on tv every sunday, but being on the outside looking in, do you feel that NASCAR has lost some popularity from your standpoint?

Ward Burton: i don't think they've lost popularity - there are a lot of new fans around the country - i think the older traditional fans may have lost some - they don't like the new changes and getting rid of some of the traditional race tracks - just the way the cars are now - obviously a huge percentage is leaning more towards the vehicle than the driver...

SeanC: Ward, I love watching you race, I think you and your brother Jeff should a Nationwide Series Team, called Burton Brothers Racing, and you drice full-time for a championship, what do you think?

Ward Burton: well that would really be nice - i don't know if that will ever happen or not - but it does no good for me to look back in the past all i can do is think about what i can do to make today successful and tomorrow - the entire rest of my life i will always long to be in a race car and feel like i should be - i know i have the capability to do a good job on the track - i've been an outdoorsman which turned into conservation and then i've raced so that's all i've ever known - but i can't seem to have control over that

WBurtonFan: Ward, I'm a huge fan; in fact I have a sweater on today of yours I bought last year. Thank you for being so friendly with your fans and giving us some great seasons behind the wheel.

Ward Burton: Thank you

sunmom13: Is there anyone in particular that you'll be rooting for at Daytona? ;)

Ward Burton: the only one i can really root for is my brother - i wish him the best and i really look forward to rekindling our relationship when working on sponsorship for my son - so it would certainly be none other than Jeff!

Shooter: Of all the legends that have won the Daytona 500, who was your racing hero? Have you ever told him?

Ward Burton: bobby allison was my racing hero - i know he won one of the 500s because i was watching on tv when his son was trying to get around him - yes i have told him - it has always been the allison family - racing has been good to them and it has also been some dismal times with them too - but i'm really glad to see bobby and judy - last i heard - were back together

ktc2237: What is your favorite track on the Cup circuit?

Ward Burton: Daytona - Darlington and then the past Rockingham track

sunmom13: What do you think about the COT? What should Nascar tweek?

Ward Burton: I think there is some room for improvement on the front end with the amount the car can travel - but it is good to see them finally come up with measuring devices to come up with a common template - it is good for all teams to have more of a common area than what we have seen in the past

WBurtonFan: Ward, is it humbling over the years to see yourself in magazines, on the internet, and on video games for example?

Ward Burton: oh it always has been - i've never looked at myself as a celebrity and i never will - i just had a friend talk to me the other day wanting me to get people to come to an event just by being there and i just have no realization that people would come just to see me - i just try to treat others the way i want to be treated and try to live by that code of ethics - it has really made me feel special though and i'll always appreciate it - more than i can say

WBurtonFan: Ward, do you have a favorite football team? And do you have any picks for the Super Bowl?

Ward Burton: well - i guess favorite team is VA Tech's college team - i did watch one of the last playoff games - shoot i can't even think who was playin - but i really don't watch much - but one of my friends and Jeb are big VA Tech fans so other than that i'm really not into it that much - it is an exciting game and it is neat to see the spirit of competition

Shooter: You've always been loyal and true to your Southside Virginia roots - any regret that you didn't make the permanent family move to NC to be closer to the action?

Ward Burton: well i think certainly it possibly didn't help my racing career - i did think about it a couple times - Tabitha and i even looked at a few homes near Bill Davis' shop but - in the end it is just too important to me to leave home - the foundation and my land - i won't leave it - it is home and we've heard more times than not that there's no place like home :)

WBurtonFan: Ward, what do you think about all of the open wheel drivers coming over into NASCAR?

Ward Burton: well i think it's just a good opportunity for them - the sport is growing and the resources that can be achieved are rising and the danger aspect that is with open wheel isn't as high - so there are a lot of positive reasons why someone would want to make the jump

Shooter: Do you ever hunt with fellow Virginian Elliott Sadler?

Ward Burton: no i don't - i heard from one of the boys supervising the games dept. that elliott had given them a hard time - in fact the games dept. is doing a study a hounds study - because of the issues have been created from using dogs to get deer - the games dept. wante dto be sure we preserve that sport so i think elliott is quite misinformed about what the study is about - but certainly was a bit taken back that he didn't look into it more - it isn't about taking away hunting rights - it is about preserving them

Wisconsin Sue: What series will your son be racing in ?

Ward Burton: my son will be running in the limited stock. We'll be starting to practice as soon as we can find a warm Saturday - he's done really well in go-karts, but this is fairly big jump for a 15year old but we'll have to see if he wants to take 100% commitment and see if this is the path he wants to take

Shooter: From a pure talent standpoint, who was/is the best driver you've ever raced against in a stock car?

Ward Burton: i would say just pure talent i'd have to say Earnhardt, Sr. at one of the tops - i still think we have some awfully great drivers - like Gordon - but if i had to go back to when i was out there ...Harry Gant, Davey Allison, Tim Richman - just seems like they could really push the needle and keep it going straight.

WBurtonFan: Ward, would you ever consider being an analyst on tv for NASCAR? you know i think that would be a lot of fun but i'm worried people may not enjoy my southern draw - i think i'd be really good at it though and i would really enjoy it. i think it is easy for the host to have their own agenda so it would be good i think for it to get back to how it used to be

WBurtonFan: Who have you found that you get along with the most in the garage over the years? ( drivers that is )

Ward Burton: i'm trying to think on that - i really don't know

Frankie: Any chance we'll see you running any races this year?

Ward Burton: i don't have any plans to at this moment but i don't know what could happen - it really doesn't look like any opportunity will happen now

Shooter: Ward, any serious political runs in your future?

Ward Burton: i have had that question asked to me quite often - i have some friends up in DC and obviously the last two governors of VA - i've done a lot of work with - but if i've learned anything - i'm not a stout Republican or stout Democrat - it is about the individual - we just need to all work together and find compromises through communication - often i can get more done by bringing groups together right now even with differences and personal agendas - i just think it is most important to communicate and be open and honest

WBurtonFan: Do you have any picks for the champion this year in Cup?

Ward Burton: well i tell you the way the 48 team has been doing the last couple years, someone is really going to have to step it up to beat them - they are pretty much on the top of the running

Shooter: Ward, Proudest moment (and it doesn't have to be racing!)? you know other than the fact of my wife and i getting married and my children being born and the successes they've had in their life - i'd have to say putting the property together and closing out the deed and acquiring the acreage teaching us to be a steward of the land and that is probably something that has been so distilled in me at an early age - to finally have it happen - and i still work on it daily to make sound decisions for the land so that would have to be at the top - but don't get me wrong without the success that racing brought that dream would never have been able to come true...

Ward Burton: Thanks everyone - We'll see you in Daytona

WBurtonFan: Thanks Ward.