Harrison Burton is embracing a second chance. After a challenging three-season stint in the NASCAR Cup Series, the 24-year-old finds himself back in the Xfinity Series, determined to prove he belongs among racing’s elite. Losing his seat at Wood Brothers Racing to Josh Berry may have been a career setback, but Burton is viewing this as an opportunity to rebuild his confidence, rediscover his love for racing, and reestablish himself as a contender.
A Rollercoaster 2024 Season: Highs and Lows
Burton’s 2024 season was a mixed bag. Statistically, it was his best season in the Cup Series, with a 16th-place finish in the standings, a dramatic improvement from his 31st-place finish in 2023. His victory at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in Daytona was the highlight, securing Wood Brothers Racing’s historic 100th win. Yet, with just one top-five and two top-10 finishes, expectations outweighed his results, leading to the inevitable decision to part ways with the No. 21 Ford.
Reflecting on his performance, Burton acknowledged the late-season improvements:
“I really think if I ran the way I did in the last half of the season, I keep my job. But that’s part of racing.”
Despite the disappointment, Burton is optimistic:
“I’ve got a lot of tread left on the tires. I’m ready to go, man. I’m super confident in myself and what I can do. I know that, in the right circumstances, I can be a Cup-level driver. I have to go prove it. I have to go earn it.”
Learning from Legends
Burton isn’t the first driver to face a demotion before mounting a comeback. He draws inspiration from drivers like Cole Custer and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett, both of whom returned to the Xfinity Series to refine their skills and ultimately climbed back to the top.
“I’ve talked to both of those guys, and they both said, ‘You are going to be fine as long as you go out there and earn it.’”
A Fresh Start with AM Racing
For the 2025 season, Burton joins AM Racing, a team eager to make its mark in the Xfinity Series. The move brings Burton back to familiar territory, having previously achieved four wins with Joe Gibbs Racing in the series. Now older and more experienced, Burton is ready to lead and elevate a young team.
Burton shared his excitement about the new opportunity:
“They look at me as a guy that has experience with all those great teams, who knows how they run things and accomplished a lot. I’m just trying to bring that to a young team. If we can win and run well right from the jump, that’s going to be a big deal.”
Working alongside crew chief Danny Efland, Burton is optimistic about the potential of AM Racing:
“I’ve seen the shop and met the people. There’s a lot of positive momentum and optimism. But the true test will be when we get on the track.”
The Road Ahead
As Burton gears up for the 2025 Xfinity Series, the stakes are high. His return to NASCAR’s second tier isn’t just about competing; it’s about proving his doubters wrong and showing that his best racing days are still ahead.
Burton’s leadership role at AM Racing represents a pivotal moment in his career. If he can deliver strong results and help build a winning culture within the team, it could reignite his path back to the Cup Series. But can the young driver translate his potential into tangible success, or will the challenges of rebuilding prove too steep? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: Harrison Burton is ready to fight.
