Harrison Burton’s tenure with the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team ended at the end of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.
No one even bothered to consider the driver who ranked 34th in points and had already lost his seat for the next season would win at Daytona International Speedway.
Highlights
- Harrison Burton had already been fired from his position by June 2024.
- Despite it all, Burton gave the Wood Brothers team their 100th victory in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- The Huntersville-born racer finished 22nd at the Darlington Raceway.
The young car racing driver won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona.
Burton’s win became more historic as it marked the 100th victory for the Wood Brothers Racing team.
As much as this victory is dramatic, it is also magical. He only led one lap and won by a fraction of a second (0.0047 seconds) on Saturday night’s race. And single-lap created a whole new history.
Before this victory, Burton was ranked last among full-time drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. But now, he is a NASCAR playoff driver this season.
In other words, the car racer wrote his name in the history. After all, to win like that and beat the best in the industry (Kyle Busch) is fantastic.
Harrison Burton Said He Cried The Whole Victory Lap
During the post-race interview, Burton revealed he became emotional after winning the 100th race for his team.
“I cried the whole victory lap. Obviously, I got fired from this job. But I wanted to do everything for the Wood Brothers that I could.”
_Harrison Burton to NBC Sports
The 24-year-old also expressed his gratitude, saying that his team gave him an amazing opportunity in life.
And to get their 100th victory on his way out is amazing. We’re in the playoffs now. “Let’s go to Darlington and see what happens. … It’s been the hardest three years of my life, obviously the hardest three years for some of these guys’ lives,” he added.
Despite the uncertainty about his racing career, Harrison didn’t give up and it paid off.
Harrison Burton Was Fired As His Stat was Disappointing
As reported by the NY Times, Burton’s 2024 season was so disappointing that he had already been released by the Wood Brothers by June.
Moreover, in an official statement published on 3 July this year, the team introduced the Stewart-Hass Racing’s Josh Berry for the #21 car.
Will Harrison’s recent victory overturn his racing career? Well, that remains to be seen. However, his solid performance at the Darlington race has added to the positive view.
Additional Information
- Harrison Burton’s parents’ names are Jeff Burton and Kim Burton.
- His Father is a former professional stock car racing driver who had 21 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- Harrison Burton has an elder sister, Paige Burton, who is an equestrian (horse racer).
