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Ward Burton
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SPEEDWAY, Ind. -- Ward Burton is looking to get out of his contract with Bill Davis Racing, perhaps at the end of this season.
Burton has one more year remaining on his deal with Davis but wants to get out of it early. He told The Associated Press that he and Davis are "looking at other options" for next season, and a team spokesperson confirmed that Burton was looking to leave.
Davis had left the racetrack to head to Indianapolis Raceway Park for Saturday night's Busch Series race and was unavailable for comment.
Burton qualified fourth for Sunday's race, the highest starting spot he's had this season.
It has been a tumultuous campaign for BDR, which was dropped from a factory deal with Dodge because of what the manufacturer called a "material breach" of the contract.
Burton has been with Davis since 1995, when he joined the team with nine races remaining in the season. He won that year in Rockingham, and has four other victories, including the 2002 Daytona 500.
But 2003 has been a tough year, and Burton wants to try to find something better.
"I would love to get our differences straightened out, but I don't know if it's possible," Burton told The Associated Press. "It's just lack of respect and lack of communication.
"I guess I've rocked the boat in some areas I felt like needed to be addressed and they don't agree. Maybe it's just time for a change for both of us."
The team spokesperson said Davis hopes the split can be amicable, but nothing has been settled yet.
Burton has one more year remaining on his deal with Davis but wants to get out of it early. He told The Associated Press that he and Davis are "looking at other options" for next season, and a team spokesperson confirmed that Burton was looking to leave.
Davis had left the racetrack to head to Indianapolis Raceway Park for Saturday night's Busch Series race and was unavailable for comment.
Burton qualified fourth for Sunday's race, the highest starting spot he's had this season.
It has been a tumultuous campaign for BDR, which was dropped from a factory deal with Dodge because of what the manufacturer called a "material breach" of the contract.
Burton has been with Davis since 1995, when he joined the team with nine races remaining in the season. He won that year in Rockingham, and has four other victories, including the 2002 Daytona 500.
But 2003 has been a tough year, and Burton wants to try to find something better.
"I would love to get our differences straightened out, but I don't know if it's possible," Burton told The Associated Press. "It's just lack of respect and lack of communication.
"I guess I've rocked the boat in some areas I felt like needed to be addressed and they don't agree. Maybe it's just time for a change for both of us."
The team spokesperson said Davis hopes the split can be amicable, but nothing has been settled yet.
