The Winchester Star
From Star Staff Reports
www.winchesterstar.com

WINCHESTER — Part of the 82nd Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival’s slogan is “Go Local, Go Bloom,” so it’s only fitting that Virginia native Ward Burton will be the sports marshal for the celebration.

Burton, who debuted in NASCAR in 1994, owns an impressive racing resume.

He has five Nextel Cup wins, including the 2002 Daytona 500, as well as 24 Top 5 finishes. He finished in the Top 10 in the final NASCAR Winston Cup Point standings in 1999 and 2000.

Burton and his brother Jeff grew up racing against each other on their hometown track in South Boston.

Festival President Elaine Aikens said Burton’s name should be familiar to area NASCAR fans.

“We know NASCAR has a pretty huge following here in Virginia,” she said. “We’re trying to celebrate those in Virginia, those close to us and celebrate their success. We wanted someone to appeal to people and come to the Sports Breakfast. I think he will have a great deal to offer to those who come.”

Festival Executive Director John Rosenberger said NASCAR’s wide popularity makes Burton an attractive guest. “NASCAR is very big around here so that’s always a plus. It’s always a good connection and they’re running in Richmond that weekend, so it ties us to a popular sport.”

Burton, who still resides in South Boston, has always been a fan favorite and that’s why he remains as popular today as he was at the peak of his racing career.

Recently, he moved his second career into high gear as a “full-throttle conservationist” and that has led to his “unofficial semi-retirement” from racing because he devotes so much time and energy to conservation causes.

Burton and his nonprofit organization The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation are pioneers in environmental education and advocacy, resource protection, and habitat restoration.

The foundation has been recognized by leaders at every level of government and has worked with several leading conservation organizations to develop state-of-the-art environmental engineering programs.

Burton has committed to global environmental policy issues from renewable energy to programs enabling landowners to protect their land and pass it down from generation to generation with minimal financial impact.

He also speaks regularly on these topics at the state and national level and offers advice to government leaders about environmental policies.

When he’s not involved with the foundation, Burton spends time at his hometown speedway, where his 16-year-old son Jeb just debuted in stock-car racing.

In addition to being the featured speaker at the festival’s Sports Breakfast May 2, Burton will appear at several luncheons May 1.

He will also be introduced at the Coronation of the festival queen May 1 and will later participate in the Firefighters’ Parade.

Burton will make a joint appearance with Curtis Fleming at the “Got milk?” tent following the Sports Breakfast in the Winchester Moose Lodge on Cork Street.

Burton, whose appearance at the festival will be sponsored by “Got milk?” and the American Dairy Farmers (and coordinated by Jack and Johnny Hardesty), will also appear in the Grand Feature Parade May 2.