The Burton family has carried NASCAR\u2019s name across decades, and their presence stretches back to the early 90s and continues through the current grid. Today, Jeb Burton and Harrison Burton are driving on the NASCAR tracks to establish themselves in the Cup and Xfinity Series. But long before them, the Burton name had already settled into the sport\u2019s fabric, most visibly through Jeff Burton, whose profile rose higher than any other in the family. Yet his older brother, Ward Burton, stood alongside him, making a career that definitely had moments that refused to fade.<\/p>\n
Ward Burton collected five wins in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, and among them sit the 2001 Southern 500 and the 2002 Daytona 500, results that secured his place in NASCAR\u2019s record book. Even now, introductions often begin with his Daytona triumph.<\/p>\n
At the time, however, Burton viewed the achievement through a different lens. He explained that while fans elevated the moment, the race itself felt no different from others he had run. That perspective recently resurfaced when Crossroads With The Burtons, a YouTube channel centered on the family, dug up an interview from nearly two decades ago.<\/p>\n
In it, Ward Burton reflected on the trail of his Daytona win. \u201cI knew it was a big day. I actually had to take an extra lap to get my composure together and get in there and see my team and my family. Jeb was obviously with me, and wherever I go, whatever I do now, I\u2019m introduced in two ways. Daytona 500 champ and conservationist, and there could be a hell of a lot more things to have a title on.\u201d He continued<\/a> by describing how the scale of the moment took time to register.<\/p>\n \u201cI really didn\u2019t have a sense of the history and being a part of one of those 30 guys that won that race. But y\u2019all and the fans make it even a more of a bigger deal than it was to me personally. So I think people that followed the sport of NASCAR make it a really big deal, and that probably makes it more special for me.\u201d<\/p>\n For Burton, the race represented success for himself, his team at Bill Davis Racing, and his sponsors. The larger meaning of the same followed later, mainly because of fans and media who continued to tie his name to that Sunday in February.<\/p>\n While Burton treated it as another race, many labeled the 2002 Daytona 500 as one of the wildest in the event\u2019s first 58 years. NASCAR had introduced a new aerodynamics package that encouraged aggressive overtaking and blocking, all happening merely one year after Dale Earnhardt lost his life at the famed venue.<\/p>\n For much of the afternoon, Sterling Marlin appeared in control<\/a>. Burton\u2019s path to the front came through circumstances after Marlin\u2019s Dodge sustained damage after contact with Jeff Gordon\u2019s Chevrolet during an aborted restart. The incident sent defending Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip sliding across the grass and nearly into the pace car on pit road with six laps remaining.<\/p>\n The damage to Marlin\u2019s car forced a decision during the red flag. Chip Ganassi Racing team manager Tony Glover instructed Marlin to exit the car<\/a> so that the team could inspect the damage.<\/p>\n