Burton ponders future
Veteran driver says he doesn't want to mingle around without a ride
By Lee Montgomery, NASCAR.COM
Ward Burton has been a full-time competitor since 1994, a five-time winner in NASCAR's top series and is a Daytona 500 champion. But unless things change drastically in the next month or so, Burton will be sitting on the sidelines in 2005.
Burton was unceremoniously dumped from Haas CNC Racing's Nextel Cup team with two races remaining in 2004. The late firing was bad timing for Burton, who was counting on returning to the NetZero team next year.
Now, with nearly every ride taken, Burton is left with the possibility of not driving when the season starts in February.
"It's more than a possibility," Burton said. "I've been Cup racing for 10 years. I obviously didn't plan on it happening this way, but life will throw you punches sometimes. You've got to deal with it and go on to the next road, next crossroad."
Burton said there are no clear answers to his future, only a lot of gray areas. But one thing is certain: He isn't ready to retire.
"I'm certainly not ready to put the helmet in the closet," Burton said. "I think I can do a good job for someone. I still have as much desire to do so.
"At the same, where one door opens, another will close. Or where one closes, another will open.
"There are days when it bothers me, and there are days where I'm very relaxed with myself and other things I'm involved with. It's something that I've got to learn to deal with."
Burton began his Cup career in 1994 with Allan Dillard's fledgling team before joining Bill Davis Racing in late '95. Their union proved fruitful, as Burton won his first race in his seventh start for Davis.
Burton went on to win four more times, including the 2002 Daytona 500, before he and Davis split late last year. Burton immediately joined Haas CNC Racing for the final four races of '04.
Sometime in the summer, sponsor NetZero began looking around at other teams, Burton said, hoping to take Burton with them.
"The sponsor that I had had gotten in touch with me six or eight months ago, and they wanted look at some other options," Burton said. "We had an option and were getting ready to sign some contracts. Basically, in a nutshell, at the last minute they chose not to.
"I don't know whether it was somebody getting more commission or what. We had probably put a little too much faith into what they said they were going to do. Instead of exploring other avenues, that was where we were heading."
So instead of looking around, NetZero stuck with Haas, which hired Mike Bliss to replace Burton.
Burton, meanwhile, is left out in the cold. There aren't many options left. He admitted to talking to Larry McClure about the No. 4 car, but that isn't likely to happen.
"I have spoken to Larry," Burton said. "But they're in a situation that they just don't have a sponsor."
Driving in the Busch Series or the Craftsman Truck Series isn't much of on option either.
"I've been reading quite a bit about trucks and Busch cars," Burton said. "Not that I wouldn't do it, but it's got to be the right situation. I'm just not sure of that right now."
Burton has even kicked around the idea of starting his own team, but that's a tall order in less than two months.
"It could be a possibility," Burton said. "The problem is what we're facing here today is we're in December. To be able to get all that done in the next couple weeks, I just don't think is physically possible. I've done more listening than I have done talking about with people who have those kinds of ideas.
"I just know all the things it takes to be competitive today, and I don't think you're going to put something together in that short a period of time."
Basically, Burton is on hold. All he can do is sit and wait for the phone to ring.
"Something would probably have to happen unfortunate for someone for it to be next year," Burton said. "But we're going to keep working on getting something done for us. We'll see what happens."
Meanwhile. Burton will enjoy the offseason, spending time with his family and his wildlife federation.
He's not even sure if he'll go to Daytona for Speedweeks.
"I'm regrouping and I'm considering where my future may lead in motorsports," Burton said. "Going to a racetrack to just mingle around doesn't sound like any damn fun."
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Veteran driver says he doesn't want to mingle around without a ride
By Lee Montgomery, NASCAR.COM
Ward Burton has been a full-time competitor since 1994, a five-time winner in NASCAR's top series and is a Daytona 500 champion. But unless things change drastically in the next month or so, Burton will be sitting on the sidelines in 2005.
Burton was unceremoniously dumped from Haas CNC Racing's Nextel Cup team with two races remaining in 2004. The late firing was bad timing for Burton, who was counting on returning to the NetZero team next year.
Now, with nearly every ride taken, Burton is left with the possibility of not driving when the season starts in February.
"It's more than a possibility," Burton said. "I've been Cup racing for 10 years. I obviously didn't plan on it happening this way, but life will throw you punches sometimes. You've got to deal with it and go on to the next road, next crossroad."
Burton said there are no clear answers to his future, only a lot of gray areas. But one thing is certain: He isn't ready to retire.
"I'm certainly not ready to put the helmet in the closet," Burton said. "I think I can do a good job for someone. I still have as much desire to do so.
"At the same, where one door opens, another will close. Or where one closes, another will open.
"There are days when it bothers me, and there are days where I'm very relaxed with myself and other things I'm involved with. It's something that I've got to learn to deal with."
Burton began his Cup career in 1994 with Allan Dillard's fledgling team before joining Bill Davis Racing in late '95. Their union proved fruitful, as Burton won his first race in his seventh start for Davis.
Burton went on to win four more times, including the 2002 Daytona 500, before he and Davis split late last year. Burton immediately joined Haas CNC Racing for the final four races of '04.
Sometime in the summer, sponsor NetZero began looking around at other teams, Burton said, hoping to take Burton with them.
"The sponsor that I had had gotten in touch with me six or eight months ago, and they wanted look at some other options," Burton said. "We had an option and were getting ready to sign some contracts. Basically, in a nutshell, at the last minute they chose not to.
"I don't know whether it was somebody getting more commission or what. We had probably put a little too much faith into what they said they were going to do. Instead of exploring other avenues, that was where we were heading."
So instead of looking around, NetZero stuck with Haas, which hired Mike Bliss to replace Burton.
Burton, meanwhile, is left out in the cold. There aren't many options left. He admitted to talking to Larry McClure about the No. 4 car, but that isn't likely to happen.
"I have spoken to Larry," Burton said. "But they're in a situation that they just don't have a sponsor."
Driving in the Busch Series or the Craftsman Truck Series isn't much of on option either.
"I've been reading quite a bit about trucks and Busch cars," Burton said. "Not that I wouldn't do it, but it's got to be the right situation. I'm just not sure of that right now."
Burton has even kicked around the idea of starting his own team, but that's a tall order in less than two months.
"It could be a possibility," Burton said. "The problem is what we're facing here today is we're in December. To be able to get all that done in the next couple weeks, I just don't think is physically possible. I've done more listening than I have done talking about with people who have those kinds of ideas.
"I just know all the things it takes to be competitive today, and I don't think you're going to put something together in that short a period of time."
Basically, Burton is on hold. All he can do is sit and wait for the phone to ring.
"Something would probably have to happen unfortunate for someone for it to be next year," Burton said. "But we're going to keep working on getting something done for us. We'll see what happens."
Meanwhile. Burton will enjoy the offseason, spending time with his family and his wildlife federation.
He's not even sure if he'll go to Daytona for Speedweeks.
"I'm regrouping and I'm considering where my future may lead in motorsports," Burton said. "Going to a racetrack to just mingle around doesn't sound like any damn fun."
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