Ward Burton in 2004 -- and today. Credit: Autostock

Burton's morning routine includes "a lot of cardio"

FORT WORTH, Texas -- When Ward Burton began to seriously consider a return to Nextel Cup racing, he began to push his exercise routine harder than before, and the results have been noticeable.

Burton, already a short, slender man, arrived at Martinsville Speedway last month noticeably down several pounds from his driving weight in 2004, the last year he ran the full schedule.

The Virginia native has always been one of the series' fittest competitors, but at age 45, he has stepped it up a notch, often working out diligently at home before sunrise.

"I'm still on the same physical routine that I've been in," Burton said. "I'm probably down three, four pounds just because I've been into a lot of cardio."

Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt popularized the notion of rising early to start the day, but Burton has embraced it as well, even as he stayed out of the sport.

"I'm still up at 5 a.m. every morning and working out until 6:30 a.m," Burton said. "I do that religiously. I don't even feel right in the morning if I don't have the opportunity to work out."