Chat Transcript: Ward Burton
September 5, 2001
1:59 PM EDT (1759 GMT)
[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Ward Burton!
[Ward_Burton] Good evening everyone! Thanks for coming to NASCAR.com tonight. I am looking forward to talking with you.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [thedude22] Hi Ward! Does this win give a bit of relief to the team after some tough luck this season and how will it effect the way you prepare for the final 10 races of the season?
[Ward_Burton] It definitely helps all the teams morales out and everyone at Bill Davis Racing. They have all worked extremely hard this year when switching to Dodge, and it seemed like every time we were capable of winning a race, something would happen. It was nice to seal the deal at Darlington.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dale's Gurl8] What is your reaction to you and your brother winning back-to-back races this weekend?
[Ward_Burton] It is real neat! To see both of us being successful at this level of competition, it means a lot to us and to our families.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [caterpillarfan] Do you think your recent success can be attributed more to the extra 2 inches on the valance or is it because you have a better handle on the aero package and the tire?
[Ward_Burton] I think it is a combination, but I haven't seen or felt that much difference in the 2 inches. I think when we first bolted it on, it took a few weeks with testing, running races and the wind tunnel to get the balance, but we are getting the aero better and Terry and the boys are getting our motors more powerful. With Goodyear's new tire, it has been a struggle to get something out and make it comfortable for me.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [lguthrie] How do you feel about the red flag situation? I had read some articles where some of the drivers were complaining about it, they were saying they fill the race was "Staged or Rigged" and NASCAR was trying to "Orchestrate the Finish." Please don't let these words ruin your victory, because you and the whole CAT team worked hard on the car, and ya'll deserve this one!
[Ward_Burton] Any time you have a caution late in the race you know it is NASCAR's call if they are going to finish under caution or going to restart it. The problem is that it is a situation where a lot of times people have tires worn out and they might not be as fresh at the start and you want to gain as many positions as you can. It is up to us to control that atmosphere, but it is usually a small incident in the front that turns into a big incident, which is sort of what happened this weekend.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [WardFan] What do you think about a "cooling off" period after races before a reporter can do interviews? Great win Ward!
[Ward_Burton] You don't want to take out all of the human drama. Any time you put someone in a competitive atmosphere, there will be emotions involved. In some aspects, that isn't a bad thing. If you saw all of us being cool and collective all the time, you would think we are robots or something. In the heat of the battle you might say something you wish you could go back and not say, but that is just the nature of the beast.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [virginabred] How do you like your chances at Richmond this weekend? Is Dodge coming around on your short track package?
[Ward_Burton] We ran good at New Hampshire. We broke some value springs, but we ran better than in the past. We ran pretty good at Bristol and we got our 2 laps back after being spun. Short tracks have not been my favorite place because we haven't been able to get the cars to my liking, but my CAT team has been working hard and giving me better cars, so I think we are gaining on our short track program.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [mweller1] Ward, what head & neck restraint device are you using now?
[Ward_Burton] I am actually using the Hutchens device that Bobby at RCR developed. It is not quite as cumbersome and it will restrict my neck from not going too far forward. I have a pretty good setup, according to what the experts tell me, in regards to where my steering wheel is in case I have a hard, front-end hit.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [cdbbdc] Why do you think Sterling Marlin is so much more consistent at this juncture and all the other Dodge teams are just now getting a piece of the pie?
[Ward_Burton] I just think that they did a really good job in the offseason. Tony Glover and those guys just did all their homework. They have gotten the cars to handle and Sterling has done a good job driving the car. They just kind of got a jump on us in some cases. I don't think it is any one thing, it is just a combination of things they have been able to do at the shop and at the racetrack that has kept them at the front.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [ARVGAL] I heard your dad was spotting for you during the Darlington race. Does he get the credit for telling you to gas it and speed through the pits so you would not get caught a lap down on that caution? Will he be spotting for you the rest of the season?
[Ward_Burton] Dad wasn't actually spotting for me, but he still has a radio so he can talk to me. What Dad did do was keep me pumped up and focused so I wouldn't drive in too deep. He was noticing that at times and he was making me aware of it. At Victory Circle I thanked him for seeing some of that, and I know I do that so I am glad he caught it so I could keep going fast.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [CAT4LIFE] After scrapping the wall and falling back from 8 to 23 or so, when did you think you could win the race last Sunday?
[Ward_Burton] We didn't scrap the wall to fall back. We fell back that far when we were coming down pit road and the caution came out and we had to speed. That put us at the tail end of the lead lap. I am not going to say that I didn't TOUCH the wall during the race, but I didn't scrap it. With about 70 laps to go, Tommy and the guys really had the car dialed in and each adjustment made the car better.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Wardfan22] What are your thoughts on Bill Simpson retiring?
[Ward_Burton] We miss him. He was an innovator, to say it mildly, for safety in motorsports. He even set himself on fire one time in a Simpson outfit to show his dedication. He is a personal friend of mine. I admire the man a lot and I think if he was in the forefront of some of the safety devices coming up, he would definitely be a valuable asset.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dale's Gurl8] Ward, besides driving, what is your greatest contribution to the No. 22 team?
[Ward_Burton] That is a good question! I guess more than anything is helping keep the sponsors happy and doing what I need to do off the track to take care of their needs and desires to make the sponsorships work for them. I am also friends with all the guys on the team, whether it is the road crew or any other member of the team. They spend endless hours trying to give me competitive racecars and I appreciate it.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [jan22] Ward, I read once that you and Jeff got in trouble when you were kids for setting a fire at the Darlington racetrack. Is that true?
[Ward_Burton] Actually we didn't get in trouble for setting a fire, we cut down a 2-foot pine that was outside what was Turn 2. It almost fell on my Dad's Winnebago! Someone at the raceway wasn't very happy with my Dad when they saw the tree lying down.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Buzzard60] What is going on with your Wildlife Foundation?
[Ward_Burton] Quite a bit! The biggest thing we have done is that we hired an executive director named Dennis Campbell. He was with the Wild Turkey Federation for over a decade.
He is helping to get it to the next level. I am still actively involved in the day-to-day operations and we have some pretty big things in the works so we can raise enough money to make it national presence and really make a difference.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [NIMHSKP] Congratulations Ward on a well-deserved win!!!! A lot has been said recently about some drivers being too aggressive. Do you think that the drivers are more aggressive or do you think that NASCAR is being more cautious about safety?
[Ward_Burton] It is always a point of being over aggressive. Obviously there is going to be some contact sometimes, and sometimes you will run into this guy or that guy, but if the same guy is causing problems, NASCAR will sit people down and have a conversation with them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [22isbest] Hi Ward. After taking the provisional, it seems like the CAT team rallied to an undefeatable frame of mind. A great car, flawless execution, the best teamwork, and a fabulous driver that kept digging. Was there anything different about the team attitude going into the race?
[Ward_Burton] Anytime that we go into Darlington, we know that if we can get the car working properly, we can be a threat. We like the racetrack and it has been good to us in the past. I made a mistake on Friday and I felt guilty about that so I wanted to make it up to the guys in a determined way, but at the same time I couldn't do what I did without the adjustments, the fabulous pit work and the work that Tommy did to make the car handle for me.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dale's Gurl8] What is the hardest aspect of a Winston Cup race?
[Ward_Burton] I am not sure what the proper answer is to that! I go in thinking about finishing first. I have to stay out of trouble and keep the fenders on the car. I have to drive the way I want to be driven. I want to stay on the lead lap and if you don't, you don't have a chance at a competitive finish.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [catwoman] We'd LOVE to see you in a commercial Ward! How about it?
[Ward_Burton] We did one for Wolverine Boots. They are playing it in some markets. I understand it was at the Indy race locally. We have a deal with WD40 for next year, and I think we are doing something with them. I would love to have a sponsor that would do more with TV commercials!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Halifax] What college football team are you pulling for this year? Is your family still UVA fans?
[Ward_Burton] All the family is UVA fans. I will be honest with you, I don't follow it that much because I am so wrapped up in racing. My brothers Brian and Jeff can fill me in better on what is going on!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [whopperwardfan] Ward, can you talk about the recent rumors about you moving to Hendrick Motorsports?
[Ward_Burton] The simplest way to say it is that I have not talked to any single owner about driving in another car for this year, next year or any year. We are building for the future and I don't see any change in the future, to be honest with you. I have another year with Caterpillar and we are just going to keep working hard for them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [stevenypd] Ward, you are the man!!! At this point are you happy with the decision to switch from the Grand Prix to the Intrepid?
[Ward_Burton] I tell ya, there was a time at the beginning of the year after Daytona that I questioned it quite a few times. It was a lot more of a major undertaking then we thought it would it. It took a while to get the motor where we wanted it, and we sold all the cars. Goodyear has a good tire but it is just been hard with all the variables. We had everything but new personnel. I don't think it is all about the move to Dodge, but it is sure did add a lot of effort to everyone on the teams.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [KittyKat22] I heard via the WBWF grapevine that you are having a fan club get together in Charlotte this October. If this is true where is it, when is it, and do I have to be a member of your fan club to attend?
[Ward_Burton] It is for Fan Club members, but I don't know exactly of the status if you can just show up. You can call Mona Singleton at 336-777-0007 and she could tell you all the details. It is in Charlotte at Carolina Tractor CAT Dealership. They put on a great show and I would love to see you come.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [rzuckernic] I know that the new tire compounds have been a problem for the 22 team this year. Does your win this weekend mean the 22 team has the new tire figured out? Or is Darlington just a good racetrack for you as a driver?
[Ward_Burton] We have run a lot better in the last 4-5 weeks. We just didn't get the finishes to prove it. I am not going to say by any stretch of the imagination that we have it figured out, but we have a better handle on it.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Hank72] Ward, is it true that you are starting a Truck Team for the 2002 season?
[Ward_Burton] No, I haven't heard that rumor! Haha I am going to help Tommy with his Busch team effort by bringing Pillsbury on as his sponsor at the Charlotte race in October. For right now that is all we are planning, but that is subject to change. We will see.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Buzzard60] Your brother Jeff was very outspoken after Bristol about the pit situation. What is your opinion on having front and backstretch pits?
[Ward_Burton] I would rather have front and back rather than one huge lane. I would rather pit on the backstretch then have that one long lane. It makes qualifying more important, but if you have any problem under a green flag, you can go 33-5 laps down, versus maybe 1. It just throws a whole other problem under a green flag, but there are 2 sides to that coin.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Mista] Can you give us a hint on who will sponsor Dave's car next year?
[Ward_Burton] We really don't know yet. Bill is talking to a few people and we have some different folks out there trying to secure a sponsorship for the #93 car. At this point we don't really have something concrete.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [johnnycake] Ward, you turn 40 next month. Are your best racing days still ahead of you?
[Ward_Burton] I can honestly say that I feel like I am in better shape now than I was 10 years ago, so I feel like I can still get up on the wheel, whether I am 40 or 30. Some days you feel like 18, and some days you feel like 40. I feel really good now so hopefully with a little luck I can maintain that for a few more years.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [catwins] Are you going on any major hunting trips over the off season?
[Ward_Burton] I am actually going to New Mexico to hunt elk as a fundraiser that Rocky Mountain Elk and I put on. I am doing that after the Martinsville race. I have been to British Columbia twice, and New Mexico once, but I haven't brought back any elk meat yet. I feel like I have left a little piece of me there each time, as it is a wonderful experience.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [nimhskp1] Ward, how would you describe your relationship with Tommy?
[Ward_Burton] It is a good one. We both communicate well with each other and we keep each other pumped. He can get emotional sometimes and I can too, and maybe there have been a few times that we have spat on the radio, but that is just our competitive nature. We both believe in each other. I know that Tommy gives me 100% every day and he knows that I am going to do the same for him.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Laurie22fan] What is your opinion of NASCAR speculating on using one engine per weekend next year?
[Ward_Burton] I don't like it. I feel like it may even be better to say you can use two motors. The part I don't like about it is that when you qualify you are turning higher RPMs and you are running the motor hotter because of the tape on the front. Sometimes the temperature will exceed 250 degrees, which isn't good on the motor.
I would like to see two motors, and if you use any more than that, you would go to the end of the field. That would still give everyone time to see if you wanted your race motor for Happy Hour or for race day.
We are running 400-500 miles and it may save some money with the amount of motors you take, but it will cost a lot more money to hire the extra people to do the testing to make a motor that will withstand all of that.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Cat] How do you feel about the Winston Cup regulars participating in so many Busch races and sending some of those guys home for the weekend?
[Ward_Burton] It is a double-edged sword. The guys that race in the Busch Series every week deserve to race. At the same time, I was once a Busch driver and I got to run against the best Winston Cup guys like Harry Gant, Davey Allison, Mark Martin, and Dale Earnhardt. It gave you a lot of confidence to run with those guys. That conversation can go both ways, but I do see how it could be a problem if you send 10-12 Busch guys home.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [kristy_rae] I read that you went to military school. Was that a family tradition, a personal choice, or were you just a rotten kid and your parents sent you there? Ha-ha!
[Ward_Burton] I was a rotten kid and my parents sent me there! Haha! It was for reasons of my rebellious nature as a child. My Dad went to Fork Union and Hargrave, so it is a family tradition, too. Hargrave taught me a lot, and sometimes when I was there I wasn't very happy about it, but looking back on those 3.5 years, it was a really positive experience for me.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Buzzard60] How closely does your team work with the other Dodge teams like the Pettys, etc?
[Ward_Burton] We worked real closely at the start of the development, and even in some cases now we talk about difference motor combinations. We talk about the motor challenges and trends, and Dodge has done a really good job with working with all the teams on the aero packages. Dodge has really kept everyone in the loop and done a good job sharing information.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Lanee] How do you feel about the "hired guns" for the road course races?
[Ward_Burton] I felt like they taught us a lot in some cases. Ron Fellows and Boris Said are just masters at those tracks. At the same time, it is hard for an outsider to come in and have a car that will last all day and have a competitive car. Those guys do an excellent job and bring a different element to the race. It is like having the Winston Cup guys driving the Busch races.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [GoAwesomeBill] All the new tracks being built seem to be 1.5-mile ovals. Would you like to see other, different tracks built, maybe another track like Bristol, or an odd shape like Pocono? Or how about even another road course?
[Ward_Burton] We have a pretty good diversity now, but I think what the track owners are thinking about are seating. They can put more people around grandstands at those 1.5-mile tracks, except at Bristol! They are going to reach to the clouds before that is over with.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Icewoman5] If it were your decision, how many races should be run in a Winston Cup season?
[Ward_Burton] 32-33 would be perfect.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [budfan] What was running through your head on that final lap on Sunday? What do you do to keep yourself focused during that time?
[Ward_Burton] I was nervous, happy, had a couple of tears in my eyes, relieved, and very gratified that we got the deal done. I was really happy for all my team and our sponsors, and it was just a very satisfying feeling to win a Winston Cup race.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Cat] Will there be another special paint scheme before the end of the year? The one at Bristol shinned much more than anyone else's!
[Ward_Burton] That is a good question! I have heard talk of one possibly, maybe at one of these races before the season is over with. I can't remember which one, but I will ask that question and try to let you know!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [FANatic] Ward, you seem to have a great sense of humor. Do you ever play pranks on your crew or any other drivers?
[Ward_Burton] Yes, I played a few pranks. Elliott Sadler doesn't know it was me, but I stuck some raw gum on his seat before Happy Hour! I also pulled one on Danielle, who is Mike Helton's right hand gal. I just put a piece of tape on her back that said, "Play with me!" She got me back though because she poured 3 jugs of water into my seat before practice at Martinsville and I had to drive like that, so I think she got the better end of that joke!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [heartcat] Which of your qualities do you think benefits you most in racing? And what one thing would you like people to think of when they think of Ward Burton?
[Ward_Burton] That is a tough question. I guess as a racecar driver, that I give it my all every time I get in the racecar. Sometimes that is good enough, and sometimes that is not. I do everything I can do to be as fast as I can every single lap.
The other thing is that my parents and grandparents taught me to have a real sense of who I am and live up to the Burton name and treat everyone the way I want to be treated.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [wilsonracer] I heard that last year your son commented that you never go to Victory Lane. How is he liking the past two wins and trips to victory lane?
[Ward_Burton] Well, he had a ball the first time last year at Darlington. This time he was sitting at home with his grandparents. I told the crew that I had to do a burnout because Jeb is my biggest supporter and also my biggest critic. He kept telling me that I never do a burnout, so I finally got to do one for him. Sarah was actually at her school Sunday so I got to talk to her on the telephone in Victory Circle.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [oumama_98] Ward, who exactly was it that threw the tape ball at Benny and hit Robin? It was reported that it was possibly you!
[Ward_Burton] I would have to take the guilt for that! I was walking down pit road and someone threw this duct tape ball at me. Being in a mischievous mood, I saw big Benny Parsons and I threw it at him. He moved and it hit Robin. I called him Monday and I am glad I didn't hurt his eye because I really felt like a dingbat when I did that.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Va] What is the latest with your official web site? Will it be back any time soon?
[Ward_Burton] That is a GOOD question! The man typing has been trying to help me get that site back! AthletesDirect filed chapter 11 when we were in Daytona. I have had my lawyer and Caterpillar lawyers working on it and I thought we were going to get it done. One of their creditors also filed bankruptcy and we had to start over.
If we have to start all over for next year with a new name, that is what I am going to have to do. I apologize because I really enjoyed working with Elliott last year and keep everyone informed. We had a personal relationship with a lot of race fans and I miss that.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [daytonaspeedman] Hi Ward. In regards to victory celebrations, who do you think does the best burnouts? And what's the weirdest you've seen?
[Ward_Burton] I am not really sure. If I not doing it, I don't pay a whole lot of attention to it! Haha That is a good question, but I am always talking to my team with what happens to us so I don't pay that much attention to it.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [burton22dodgecat] Ward, are you also having license agreement problems? We are having problems finding some of your gear and cars.
[Ward_Burton] I don't know what the deal with that is. You shouldn't be. Sometimes I wonder about our funnel of distribution, but I know that Rick Edwards at CAT has a lot of products out there. I have heard that comment before and I am not sure why that is. I have talked to them many of times about why we aren't in dealers, outlets, stores, or what have you. There are some areas on that that we could do a little better on.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Va] Are you doing any personal appearances around the Richmond race this week?
[Ward_Burton] I don't have any scheduled around Richmond. I am going to see some of my buddies with BaJa Boats for a little bit on Thursday evening, but my little boy has his first football game on Saturday morning. I am going to drive back Friday night so I can see his football game.
[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Ward has for us tonight. Thanks Ward! What are your final thoughts?
[Ward_Burton] I appreciate everyone coming on and speaking with me. It really makes me feel special that we have a lot of people out there that not only support NASCAR but also our Caterpillar team. Hang in there with us. We are not done yet and we have more good things for the future.
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