NASCAR's Ward Burton leads parks team

Ward Burton on location filming a new commercial promoting Virginia State Parks.

For the second year, NASCAR Winston Cup driver Ward Burton is serving as spokesperson for Virginia State Parks.

Burton shot a television commercial public service announcement at Staunton River State Park in February and appears in an accompanying radio spot.

"That Winning Feeling" spots air February and March on more than 80 radio and nearly 30 television stations across the state as part of a multi-year agreement between the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and DCR.

"Ward and the parks are a natural fit," Gov. Mark Warner said in describing the partnership. "He is a Virginia native who is deeply involved in his community. Virginia State Parks are family-oriented attractions that entertain guests from around the country, and our parks are vital parts of the communities they serve."

Burton, a native and current resident of Halifax County, is the first Virginian to win the Daytona 500. He has five career victories on the Winston Cup circuit and was a two-time winner in 2002, adding the New England 300 to his Daytona win.

Virginia State Parks hold the Gold Medal Award as the best managed state park system in the country. The National Sporting Goods Association's Sports Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the National Recreation and Park Association presents the award.

"Virginia State Parks are tremendous places for the entire family to go and enjoy the outdoors," Burton said. "My family and I frequently visit Staunton River State Park. It's an experience I would recommend to anyone."

Burton, an avid outdoorsman, established the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation to promote wildlife conservation and proper stewardship of our natural resources. The foundation maintains wildlife habitat on land along the Staunton River and is raising money to acquire adjoining property for an environmental education center.