Ward Burton returns to race at Daytona

After a five-year absence from competing in a NASCAR race, Ward Burton will drive at Daytona in February in the NextEra Energy 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event.

Burton and his 19-year-old son, Jeb, have teamed with Hillman Racing in the Truck Series to run the No. 27 Chevy this season.

Burton, the 2002 Daytona 500 winner and brother of current Richard Childress Racing team member Jeff Burton, stepped away from the sport in 2007 to help Jeb's racing career as well as work with the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation.

Burton had five career wins in in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series and four in the Nationwide Series.

"I am real excited about the things we have going on with Mike Hillman Sr. and his program. I think this is a real good thing for Jeb and his career," Burton said in a statement. "Hillman Sr. is building a great team of people and we are hoping that we can bring some additional marketing partners on board with us to make this program a huge success."

State Water Heaters, which has been a partner with Burton since 2007, will be a sponsor.

"We realized early on that Ward has a natural connection with our wholesalers and contractors.  Because of that connection, Ward is a great ambassador for the
State brand," said Jeff Storie, senior marketing manager for State Water Heaters. "We’re thrilled that our 2012 partnership is moving back on the track with both Ward and Jeb.  We look forward to seeing what Ward, Jeb and the whole Hillman Racing team can do together and we’re glad to be a part of it."

Jeb moves up from the NASCAR Whelen All-American series to the Truck Series.

Ward will race at Daytona because Jeb is not yet qualified to run at Daytona. Burton also will make select starts throughout the truck series schedule.

The younger Burton will make his debut behind the wheel in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville on March 31.

Atop the pit box for the No. 27 will be Richmond native Trip Bruce, who worked with Burton in his Sprint Cup days at Bill Davis Racing.

"I'm excited to race in the truck series," Jeb Burton said in a statement. "This is a big step from the NASCAR Whelen Series but I am ready for it. I am comfortable with my crew chief Trip Bruce and the teams of guys here at Hillman Racing."

The NextEra Energy 250 is Feb. 24 at Daytona.