DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- For the first time since 2004, Ward Burton has a full-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series ride.

After sitting out the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season and only competing in three races late in 2006, the 2002 Daytona 500 champion is making his return in 2007 driving the No. 4 State Water Heaters Chevrolet for Morgan-McClure Motorsports.

When Burton arrived at “The World Center of Racing,” the grounds of the historic facility looked different. The South Boston, Va., native hasn’t seen Daytona since it underwent its infield renovation back in 2004.

“As I walked into the Speedway this morning, it’s got so much history to it,” Burton said. “I remember the first time being here as a child and back here again. It’s a little bit of a familiar territory and somewhat unfamiliar. The scenery has changed a bunch with the uplifting of the infield. It’s neat to be back in the game.”

Qualifying for this year’s Daytona 500 is going to be a huge challenge for Burton and the No. 4 team.

The Daytona 500 qualifying format is unique. The top 35 teams in owner’s points have guaranteed starting spots in the Daytona 500 while all remaining teams fight over seven starting spots.

Four spots are split among the top two finishing drivers in each Gatorade Duel that are not already guaranteed a starting spot get into the Daytona 500. The next three spots go to the fastest three qualifiers based on the single-car time trials from Bud Pole Qualifying that are not guaranteed a starting spot in the Daytona 500. A final Daytona 500 starting spot is reserved for a past NEXTEL Cup champion.

For this year’s Daytona 500, there could be as many as 30 teams without guaranteed starting spots trying to qualify and Burton will be among them.

“We got an up hill battle ahead of us,” Burton said. “The guys have been working really hard. Hopefully their hard word is going to pay off. Certainly it’s somewhat of mountain to climb.”

Burton remembers only one time in his career that he failed to qualify for a Daytona 500.

“My rookie year (1994), we had a wreck at the start/finish line in the fist 125s and that was the only 500 I wasn’t able to make,” Burton said. “I know when we came back here in ‘95 we had to finish 15th or better and I think we finished 11th. I felt like I already knew what it was like to win the 500 because we made that race.

“With the few spots, which is basically seven available, if we can make (the Daytona 500) that same feeling is going to be there again. I think it’s going to be tougher. I think there are a lot of things that are against us but the thing that is for us is that we’ve both done it before.”

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Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!!
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thanks,enjoyed it .cant wait to c him race

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