(The top 35 rule bit Ward alot this year; MMR just couldn't put
competitive equipment under him. (The Onion didn't qualify the no.4 for
Sunday's finale) I wish Ward the best, and I really would like to see
him in a competitive ride for at least one season to prove/disprove
that he is still up to the task.....K)


The Gazette Virginian
Address:http://www.gazettevirginian.com/archivesfolder.html/11-14-2007.html
November 14, 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

W. Burton Looking For New Ride
By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor

Ward Burton doesn't know what the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season holds
for him. He does know, however, he will not return as driver of the No.
4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet.
Burton and Morgan-McClure Motorsports announced yesterday that Burton
has ended his tenure as the team's driver. Morgan-McClure Motorsports
officials said they will have Todd Bodine in the car for this weekend's
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season finale at Homestead, Fla.

"It just got to the point where there wasn't any light at the end of the
tunnel," Burton said.
"They (Morgan-McClure Motorsports officials) pretty much knew I wasn't
going to be able to proceed in that fashion for next year. We just
elected to go ahead and make the change.

"You've got to have some light at the end of the tunnel, and, in no
disrespect to Morgan-McClure in any fashion, because of a lack of
finances, we have not been able to test, do the seven-post rig, hire
people and those kinds of things," added Burton.

"Consequently, you just can't be competitive in that fashion anymore. "
Burton said he appreciates the opportunity that Morgan-McClure
Motorsports gave him to get back into racing after a year and a half
layoff.

"I appreciate Morgan-McClure giving me the opportunity," Burton added.
"We had more than our share of struggles, but the half a dozen times
where we were a top-five car, because of various things, we couldn't
show our hand. I had a ball driving and working with the team and
getting myself re-acquainted. It's never easy when these kinds of things
happen, but we worked it out."

Morgan-McClure Motorsports President Tim Morgan said he appreciates the
work Burton has done with the team.
"Ward has worked hard for us this year," said Morgan.
"He is a good driver and a friend. Todd (Bodine) has been helpful to us
in the past and has agreed to step in and help us benchmark our efforts
as we get ready for the 2008 season."

Burton said he is working on one possibility that could allow him to
return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next season. He did not, however,
disclose the identity of the team he is talking with.
"I've got one team I'm talking to that has got some light at the end of
the tunnel, a team that is doing some of the right things they need to
do," Burton said.
"I do not have it worked out yet and don't know if I will. I should have
an answer pretty quick. That's going to be a situation that, if it comes
to fruition, is going to have its struggles. But, there is some light at
the end of the tunnel because of people being hired and resources."

The former Daytona 500 winner said he has had some offers to compete in
the NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series but has
passed them up.

"I've had some opportunities to do full-time Busch and full- timeTruck,"
Burton said.
"I just don't know if I've got my heart in it to do that with the amount
of expense that it takes to get to the racetracks and the amount of time
you've got to put into it.

"I'm not going to say never," he added, "but, at this moment, I pretty
much don't feel like that's something I'll actively pursue." Burton said
that if an opportunity to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series does
not present itself, it won't be the end of the world.

"There is a grand life out here," Burton pointed out.
"This coming weekend is the opening day of gun season for deer. I'm
going to have a darned fun time being out in the woods."
At the same time, Burton, 46, says he feels as strong in a racecar as he
ever has and still has the desire to compete in the right situation and
under the right circumstances.

"I feel like I'm strong in the racecar, that my senses and reflexes are
just as good as they ever were," he pointed out.

"I don't know where my future lies in racing. I do feel that I'm
physically able, that I'm mentally sharp to do it. But, I'm not willing
to do it in the same fashion that I've done it this year."

Whatever it takes......