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2002 SESSION

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028396526
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 257 Offered February 22, 2002 Commending Ward Burton. ----------
Patrons-- Ruff, Hanger, Hawkins, Houck, Martin, Puckett, Reynolds, Trumbo and Wampler
----------

WHEREAS, on February 17, 2002, in Daytona, Florida, Ward Burton of Halifax County accomplished a feat that had escaped all other NASCAR Winston Cup drivers from the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in a thrilling finish, Ward Burton captured the Daytona 500, NASCAR's premier event, becoming the first Virginian to take the checkered flag at Daytona; and

WHEREAS, a native of South Boston and still a resident of Halifax County, Ward Burton began his racing career in go-karts when he was eight years old and soon became dominant in the Virginia Karting Association events in Southside Virginia; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Hargrave Military Academy and attending Elon College, Ward Burton returned to Halifax and soon became a winning driver at the South Boston Speedway in the mid-1980s; and

WHEREAS, by the early 1990s, Ward Burton had moved up to NASCAR's Busch Grand National Series, winning at the North Carolina Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Orange County, and Atlanta Motor Speedway; and

WHEREAS, Ward Burton joined Bill Davis Racing in September of 1995, finished fourth in his first NASCAR race with Bill Davis Racing, and after only seven starts, won his first NASCAR Winston Cup event at the North Carolina Speedway on October 22, 1995; and

WHEREAS, the winner of four Busch Grand National Series races and three Winston Cup races, Ward Burton had earned more than $12 million in prize money on the Winston Cup circuit heading into the 2002 season; and

WHEREAS, his victory in the Daytona 500 catapults Ward Burton into the top ranks of NASCAR Winston Cup drivers, where he will continue to represent Halifax County and the Commonwealth with talent, dedication, and determination; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Ward Burton on his historic victory in the 2002 Daytona 500; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Ward Burton as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and best wishes for continued success.