Spade Racing

Spade Racing’s Stars in Unusual Cars: Ward Burton

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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AUTO-Biographies: Spade Racing’s One Man Book Club (Introduction)

Over the past two years or so I’ve read a book or two written by (perhaps “written by”) or about Nascar drivers. Over the next few months I’ll be reviewing them—what I liked about them, what I didn’t like, and what I would’ve changed. And, of course, a final verdict on if you should read it as well. So join me as I prove once and for all that I can read.