NASCAR WCUP: Ward Burton ready to drive at Richmond

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 4, 2001

“I was cleared to drive by Dr. Charles Branch from Wake Forest. He has a lot of experience with various drivers and he seemed to think that everything was okay. I’m a little sore, but I’ve been in worse shape than this so I think I’ll be just fine.” - Ward Burton

RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY PONTIAC EXCITEMENT 400

BURTON ON HIS CONDITION…

“Dr. Branch said that I wouldn’t jeopardize the healing process by competing this weekend. I can trust what he has to say because he has a lot of experience with racecar drivers. He felt like I was in pretty good shape considering the accident had just happened on Sunday. I feel better every day and don’t think that it will be any problem running the entire race Saturday night. I still have a sore neck and a sore chin, but that shouldn’t prevent me from being competitive at Richmond.

“We’re bringing a brand new chassis this weekend. We have made significant gains in the last few weeks. The guys are working with me to help me get through the turns better and I’m helping them get more accurate information for the set-up. Together, we’re going to get this season turned around.”

BURTON ON CALIFRONIA…

“I was so proud of the way we all worked together last weekend. We had a good car right off the truck and the guys just kept getting it better throughout the weekend. By the time the race started, we were a little loose and we just kept adjusting on it. We were making gains on the track and had fought our way into the top five. I saw a replay of what happened with Mark (Martin) and he just got into turn three way too deep. He got me in the left-rear and that was it. It came around and ended a real good run for the CAT team.”

NOTE: Ward Burton suffered a concussion in a late-race incident last weekend at California Speedway and was held Sunday night at Loma Linda University Medical Center for observation. He was released late Monday night and returned to Virginia Tuesday. Burton spent Wednesday at Wake Forest University Medical Center being checked out by Dr. Charles Branch. Branch, a neurosurgeon, has worked with several drivers, including Geoffery Bodine and the late Dale Earnhardt.

Text provided by Heidi Stoddard

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