Ward Burton, NASCAR champion. (Power Play).

Ward Burton is no stranger to the fast lane, but he's also a huge advocate of unhurried recreation in parks.

Since February, the 2002 Daytona 500 champion has been a spokesperson for Virginia State Parks. Burton's public service spots run on more than 80 radio and nearly so television states throughout the state. Virginia State Parks have been recognized as a winner of the of the Gold Medal Award as the best-managed state park system in the country. The National Sporting Goods Association's Sports Foundation Inc. presents the award in cooperation with NRPA.

The name of the spots featuring Burton is "That Winning Feeling." In them, Burton says:

   "Take it from me, Ward Burton, there's
   nothing better than finishing first. Now
   you can get that winning feeling by visiting
   your Virginia state parks, winners
   of the coveted Gold Medal Award as
   the nation's best park system. Virginia's
   state parks are a winner with the whole
   family. No matter what you enjoy in the
   outdoors, you'll find a state park just
   right for you. And you won't have to go
   racing around to find one. You're never
   more than an hour away from an
   award-winning Virginia state park."

When Burton agreed to serve as a spokesperson for Virginia State Parks, he saw it as another way to give back to his native state by letting people know of the wonders that await them in Virginia's outdoors.

Burton's love of the outdoors is well known to his family, fans and friends. The most visible sign of his desire to protect our valuable natural resources was his creation of the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. This fast-growing education-oriented organization is dedicated to promoting wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement and the proper stewardship of our natural resources. The foundation currently manages land along the Staunton River to maintain suitable wildlife habitat. It's raising money to acquire an adjoining tract of land and to develop an environmental education center on the property.

For more information about the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, see www.twbwf.org.