Ward Burton signs two-year contract extension

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Daytona 500 champion Ward Burton has signed a two-year contract extension with Bill Davis Racing that will keep him in BDR's No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge through the end of the 2004 season.

	Ward Burton

However, citing the volatility of the sport, among other reasons, Burton on Thursday said he declined the option of mirroring a five-year pact recently signed by the sponsor.

Burton's missing a deadline to sign the contract was seen as a move by the South Boston, Va., driver into the silly season waters. Burton, 40, said that was never considered.

Since winning the season-opener, his fourth victory in a nine-year career, Burton has struggled with mechanical maladies that have kept him from scoring more than one other top-10 finish. Burton has run well enough to lead 177 laps in seven races.