Ward Burton ends his career with Haas CNC & Morgan-McClure (2003-07)
Join me throughout this year as I take a look at when some of the sport’s biggest stars drove some unusual cars! (Presented in no particular order).
Why? Ward Burton spent eight-plus years driving the Bill Davis Racing #22, picking up five wins (including a Daytona 500) in the process. However, a noticeable slide in performance would see Ward leave the team late in the 2003 season to run for Haas CNC Racing, the forerunner of Stewart-Haas Racing. Later, he’d spend all of 2005 and most of 2006 out of racing before making a brief comeback with Morgan-McClure Motorsports.
How successful were they? Burton provided a veteran presence at Haas CNC, a team on its way up, posting three top-tens in less-than-ideal equipment. However, upon his return with MMM, a team on its way down, Ward struggled to even qualify for races.
What was the aftermath? Haas CNC would take a major leap forward upon reinventing itself thanks to Tony Stewart becoming a driver/part-owner, while Morgan-McClure would only attempt five more races before fading out of existence. Ward Burton has not returned to the driver’s seat since.
Ranking on the Strange-O-Meter? 2 CAT Skid Steer Loaders out of 10—a disappointing way to end a career that, unfortunately, never saw Ward in truly “top-level” equipment.
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