BDR offers to terminate W. Burton's contract

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Ward Burton said Bill Davis Racing has offered to terminate his contract with the team for next season, but Burton isn't prepared to sign it yet.

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Burton told reporters last week at Indianapolis that he was exploring his options for 2004, but he wants to be honorable in how he handles a possible split with the team. And he expects the team to do the same.

"I'm looking for other options," Burton said. "So is the car owner. The reason it happened last week is because I received a noticed that said we ought to be looking for other options. We've had success before. Some of the things that are going on may not be good for them or I.

"It's an option to terminate our agreement for '04, Nov. 30. Obviously, I'm not going to sign it until I have an agreement with someone else."

Burton has talked to other car owners but declined to name any.

	Bill Davis

"I certainly am starting to talk more now and starting to learn more now about what people have got planned in the future," Burton said. "But I'll know more shortly than I do now."

One of the car owners reportedly interested was Richard Childress. Childress and Burton said Friday at Watkins Glen International they have talked, but it was about hunting.

"We talked about a lot of hunting," Childress said. "I've spoke to him, but we haven't went into no detail on nothing. We talked about hunting a whole lot."

Said Burton, "One time, the rumor got started when we were actually talking about the outdoors, not the race car."

But Childress said Burton would be a good choice for a car owner who needed a driver.

	Ward Burton

"Ward's a really good race driver," Childress said. "He's a winner, he's won races, so he'll do good. Wherever he goes, he'll land on his feet, and he'll do good."

Burton said he wants to be with a team that is willing to work hard on possible problems.

"I want to be around someone who respects me for who I am, and I them," Burton said, "and have the opportunity to work hard together, solve problems and have a good time doing it.

"Normally in this business, as complicated as it has gotten, it is never one single thing that is stopping on-track performance. I can control the off-track performance. I think I can do a great job with a sponsor. I know I will, and I'll make it a priority to. On the track, I'm part of the equation, but not all of it. I'll take my part of the responsibility."

Burton said he wouldn't shirk his responsibility to the No. 22 team as long as he drives it.

"This week, we've made some improvements to our Caterpillar Dodge," Burton said. "Hopefully, we'll keep making improvements. We're going to race really hard the rest of the season, and if we race together the following year, really hard then.

"I appreciate everything that Bill has done for me over the years and all the sponsors - MBNA, Caterpillar - and all these guys who work so hard on these race cars. We'll just see where we all land at. But regardless, I'm not planning on burning any bridges to get there."