The 23-year-old son of NASCAR Corridor of Famer Jeff Burton solely led one lap on Saturday evening at Daytona, but it surely was one which mattered most. Burton entered the penultimate spherical of the common season thirty fourth — useless final within the championship standings amongst full-time drivers.
“As an individual, I’ve simply grown rather a lot within the hardship,” he stated of the struggles. “That’s the place you develop as an individual, is when issues are arduous. I’ve simply had extra occasions than I would like, (going) to the store and have a look at a mistake I made on movie, have a look at a transfer I missed on movie, have a look at a wreck I couldn’t management or no matter. All this stuff appeared so as to add up and add up and add up … For me, I believe I’ve grown rather a lot in that hardship. I came upon rather a lot about myself.”
Harrison Burton, Wooden Brothers Racing, DEX Imaging Ford Mustang
Photograph by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
To get there, he needed to out-duel 2x NASCAR Cup Collection champion Kyle Busch, pulling two huge blocks within the run to the road. Talking on that last lap, Burton stated: “You possibly can’t rely out Kyle Busch, proper? I used to be making an attempt to place myself in his footwear of what’s he considering, what’s he making an attempt to do to move me? The place is his assist with Christopher and all that? To be sincere, as soon as I made the block and pulled throughout his nostril, form of took all his power by making a late block, to the place clearly I virtually crashed, however that’s what I wanted to do to take the power away from him, then I believed I had form of finished it. Till then, I wasn’t feeling comfy on the market, that’s for certain.”
Not solely did Burton safe himself a spot within the 2024 playoffs, however he will get credit score for incomes the legendary Wooden Brothers their one centesimal NASCAR Cup victory. He joins names reminiscent of Pearson, Yarborough, Bonnett, Jarrett, and Baker as drivers who’ve reached Victory Lane within the pink and white No. 21.
An unsure future
The workforce final captured the checkered flag in 2017 with Ryan Blaney when the longer term Cup champion received at Pocono. Burton was candid about his scenario in his emotional front-stretch interview: “Clearly acquired fired from this job, (however) I needed to do every part for the Wooden Brothers that I might.”
During the last three years, he has a median end round twenty fourth with 2024 showing to be the worst but — till Daytona. He has but to announce any plans for subsequent yr, however on this second, he’s simply grateful to be behind the wheel of the enduring No. 21.
Harrison Burton, Wooden Brothers Racing, DEX Imaging Ford Mustang
Photograph by: John Harrelson / Motorsport Pictures
“You by no means know when you could have an opportunity to drive once more,” stated Burton. “You by no means know when you could have an opportunity. This might all disintegrate tomorrow. That is such a privilege to do each weekend. Even in the event you run within the Vehicles collection or the Xfinity Collection or late fashions, it’s such a privilege to get to drive a race automotive.
“I get the privilege to drive the No. 21 for Wooden Brothers Racing. That to me is all you want, proper? I’ve had an opportunity to try this for 3 years, to work with these guys for 3 years, be taught all I can. I’m assured in myself as a driver that I can do issues after I’m at my finest. Tonight I really feel I used to be at my finest. I really feel prefer it labored out. Clearly we acquired lucky at occasions, too. However when the chips are down, all of us did an excellent job. Jason Jarrett, my spotter, did an excellent job of constructing issues work out completely.”
A household custom
Harrison will not be the primary Burton win at Daytona. His uncle Ward received the 2002 Daytona 500, however 24 years in the past, his father Jeff received this very race whereas driving the No. 99 Ford for Jack Roush. On Saturday evening, he was within the broadcast sales space when his son crossed the road.
“I assume I’ll end on my dad with out making enjoyable of him,” joked the youthful Burton. “He’s been there for me, he’s referred to as me after I don’t wish to reply his cellphone name after a nasty race, talked me via what I have to do, how I have to deal with issues.
“He clearly raised me, and my mother as effectively, each raised me to be the man that I’m as we speak. I’m pleased with that off the racetrack alone. Then to make the nights that my mother spent on the street quarter midget racing with me whereas my dad was Cup racing, to take the time that my dad took away from his Cup racing alternative to assist me in quarter midgets and late mannequin racing to make that value it to win on the Cup stage, I’ve been instructed by him that he’s not pleased with me based mostly off whether or not I win or lose, it’s how I deal with myself and what I do.”
