Ward Burton and the #27 State Water Heaters Chevrolet Silverado Hillman Raing Team are set to make their debut at Daytona International Speedway. Trip Bruce, who led Johnny Benson to a truck series championship in 2008, will be atop the pit box calling the shots for Ward Burton as he makes his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut this weekend. Besides Ward Burton’s first career NCWTS start this weekend, Daytona will mark the first race for Hillman Racing in NASCAR competition. Team owner Mike Hillman Sr. played a key role in the founding of Germain Racing and was the architect of the group’s two NASCAR championships in 2006 and 2010. Hillman acquired the championship-winning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series assets following the conclusion of the 2011 season and is set to embark as the owner and general manager of Hillman Racing for the 2012 season. State Water Heaters returns as a primary sponsor in NASCAR’s big three touring series with a look reminiscent of its first race in 2006. The #27 paint scheme was inspired by State’s first race in the Sprint Cup Series at Talladega. [Image posted on the #27 NCWTS Paint Schemes Page.] Burton captured the 2002 Daytona 500 driving for Bill Davis Racing, and has a total of 25 career NASCAR starts at Daytona between the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. In 375 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, Burton has posted fives wins, seven poles and 24 top-five and 82 top-10 finishes. Burton also has four NASCAR Nationwide Series victories, seven poles, 23 top-five and 50 top-10 finishes in 161 starts.(Hillman Racing PR)(2-22-2012)
