Wayne County Outlook

WILL WARD BURTON RETURN TO CUP RACING

There have been many reports that Ward Burton would return to Nextel Cup

as a driver for Toyota next season.

Another rumor had him running the last race of the season at Homestead.

"Not so," said Burton. "We have talked with several teams and a lot of

stuff has been put on the table, but we have no contracts or commitments

from anyone."

But he added that he was still confident he could do a terrific job for

any team and sponsor.

Burton hasn't competed in NASCAR since he drove the No. 22 Caterpillar

for Bill Davis Racing in 2004. But this year, with the many Nextel Cup

driver-team changes that have taken place and the coming of new Toyota

teams, his name has been brought up several times.

Burton is a seasoned, winning driver who has a following of loyal fans.

He's also eager to return. So logically, he would be a good choice.

But it isn't all that easy.

There's the sponsorship thing, which can cost up to $20-million.

Robert Yates Racing said it would put Burton in one of its two

cars�provided he brought along a sponsor. Yates currently runs two Cup cars,

but will only have sponsorship for the No. 38, which is now being driven by

28 year-old David Gilliland.

Yates' No. 88, driven by Dale Jarrett will lose UPS as the major sponsor

when Jarrett moves to Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007.

If, somehow, Burton could come up with a high-dollar sponsor, he most

definitely would be able to find a ride. Lacking a sponsor, there are two

things working against him.

First, at his age (44) and the current trend of hiring young�sometimes

very young�drivers, he's not going to be a high priority on many teams list.

But also, he's been absent from Nextel Cup competition for over two

years. The longer you're away, the quicker you are forgotten.

Burton probably still has the desire and skills to get the job done. But

as time passes, less attention is going to be paid to him as more new

drivers enter the Cup ranks.

Toyota now has filled five of its seven driver spots with the addition

of Jeremy Mayfield to Bill Davis racing. Mayfield will join Dave Blaney at

Davis.

Dale Jarrett will join Michael Waltrip at MWR. That team needs one more

driver for their third team.

Team Red Bull needs one more driver to go along with Brian Vickers.

Les Unger of Toyota said the Toyota Camry has been approved by NASCAR

for the 2007 season, and the bulk of its 2007 engine has been turned in.

"We're moving along and looking forward to next year," said Unger.

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