Ward Burton said Bill Davis Racing has offered to terminate his contract with the #22 team for next season, but Burton isn’t prepared to sign it yet, “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. 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.( NASCAR.com ) AND Ward Burton’s future may be the second-hottest driver story on the Winston Cup tour – along with Richard Childress’ surprising negotiations with Paul Tracy, a temperamental Indy-car star. Burton and car owner Bill Davis appear destined to split at the end of the season, perhaps sooner. Mike Brown, Davis’ general manager, said Davis has no plans to replace Burton in the coming weeks, despite reports that Dave Blaney, who once drove for Davis, might return. Burton said he expects to be in Davis’ car the rest of the season.( Winston Salem Journal )(8-9-2003
