Following in the footsteps of many NASCAR alumni, Ward Burton began racing go-karts at the age of eight racing on the Virginia Karting Association circuit until the age of 16.

After attending a military school from the 10th grade on, Ward would eventually return to racing, starting with mini-stocks and street stocks at his hometown speedway in South Boston, Va. before moving on to late models in 1986 and winning the most popular driver honors three years later.

Ward moved up to the Busch Series in 1990. Of his 23 starts, Ward earned three top-10 finishes and finished second to Joe Nemechek in the rookie of the year race.