NASCAR driver Ward Burton notes sense of connection to Tech.

Byline: Holly Prestidge and Julian Walker

Apr. 24--Tragedy in Blacksburg Father and son stood in front of the burning candles, flowers and family photos. The older man's hand rested protectively on the younger boy's lanky shoulders. Like so many parents and students in the week after the Virginia Tech massacre, Ward and 14-year-old Jeb Burton spent a quiet moment among the Hokies community reading the many words written by family, friends and strangers to the victims. As a father with one daughter in college and another headed there in a few years, the NASCAR Nextel Cup driver said he just wanted to be there to show his support. On Saturday night, Burton's No. 4 Chevrolet prominently …