Harrison Burton’s career rebound picks up speed as he charges through the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series. After a tough 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Harrison Burton finds new momentum with a stunning top-10 finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His ability to adapt mid-race made all the difference, setting the stage for a thrilling season ahead. Can he maintain this pace and secure a playoff spot? The road to redemption is just beginning.
Key Highlights
- Harrison Burton achieved an eighth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, highlighting his career rebound.
- Burton demonstrated improved skills and adaptability by shifting strategies to preserve tire integrity.
- His top-10 finish reflected growing confidence and experience in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
- The result at Las Vegas contributed to a strong start in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity season.
- Burton’s performance boosts his playoff contention, currently placing him 12th on the Playoff Grid.
Struggles in 2024 for Burton and AM Racing
In 2024, the NASCAR season was a challenging ride for both Harrison Burton and AM Racing. Burton, competing in the NASCAR Cup Series with Wood Brothers Racing, experienced difficulties in finding his rhythm. Despite a victory in the late summer at Daytona, his overall performance fell short, resulting in his replacement by Josh Berry at the season’s end.
Meanwhile, AM Racing, fresh off a promising 2023 season with Brett Moffitt, faced its own set of challenges. The team initially brought Hailie Deegan aboard for a full-time drive, but as this partnership faltered, they had to rely on a rotating roster of interim drivers.
Joey Logano managed to secure a couple of top 10 finishes, but consistency remained elusive. Both Burton and AM Racing found themselves in an unstable position, setting the stage for an uncertain yet hopeful future collaboration in the upcoming 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign.
Harrison Burton’s Performance at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Harrison Burton, the young and talented driver from Huntersville, North Carolina, made an impressive splash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with an eighth-place finish on Saturday. This performance was not only a reflection of his evolving skills but also improved his confidence.
Burton navigated the challenging track, adapting quickly to the nuances of the Las Vegas circuit. Initially, he struggled with his approach, expecting success with the top line in Turns 3 and 4. However, this strategy resulted in excessive tire wear, a critical lesson learned early in the race.
Displaying adaptability, Burton shifted his strategy, realizing the importance of the lower line—a style reminiscent of the old Atlanta track. This adjustment allowed him to maintain tire integrity and secure a competitive position.
Burton expressed his enjoyment, noting the thrill of driving the Xfinity Series cars on mile-and-a-half tracks, which ultimately contributed to his commendable finish.
“It was different. The biggest thing was the line, I was not prepared to old Atlanta wrap the bottom, I was prepared to go try to run the top in [Turns 3 and 4] and it just felt like it took the right-front tire off doing that.”
“In the Cup car, that was where I made all my speed up there, was at the top, so total mindset change for me, and I had to learn that lesson the hard way the first stage, where I ran top, passed some guys, and then they’re going right back by me because I burnt my tires off.”
“But a lot of fun and really, really good package on these mile-and-a-halves in these Xfinity [Series] cars are a blast to drive.” – Harrison Burton
Strong Start to the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Season
Although the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Season has just begun, it already promises to be an exciting expedition for fans and drivers alike.
Harrison Burton, a 24-year-old rising star, is off to an impressive start. As the only driver to secure top 10 finishes in the initial two races, Burton has showcased his skill on the drafting tracks of Daytona International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, finishing sixth and tenth, respectively.
At Circuit of The Americas, Burton and AM Racing exhibited tactical brilliance by winning a stage and maintaining a strong position within the top 12 until a mechanical setback halted their momentum.
The No. 25 Ford Mustang‘s performance at Phoenix left some uncertainty regarding its competitive standing.
However, the subsequent race at Las Vegas has dispelled doubts, affirming Burton’s potential. The son of NASCAR Cup Series winner Jeff Burton, Harrison is determined to challenge for victories and secure a post-season spot.
NASCAR Playoff Push and Looking Ahead
Racing into the heart of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Season, Harrison Burton and his team at AM Racing are keenly focused on securing a coveted playoff position.
With a strong showing at Las Vegas, they are now 12th on the Playoff Grid, holding a narrow five-point lead over Carson Kvapil. Burton’s recent performance revealed their potential, but also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in car balance. His team is dedicated to refining their approach, aiming to consistently build on recent successes.
To fortify their NASCAR playoff push, Burton and AM Racing plan to:
- Enhance Car Performance: Adjustments to optimize the Ford Mustang’s balance will be vital in upcoming races.
- Strategic Race Execution: Starting strong and maintaining momentum throughout all stages is fundamental.
- Focus on Consistency: Achieving regular top-10 finishes will solidify their playoff contention.
Looking ahead, Burton aims to capitalize on his experience and drive AM Racing into the postseason.
“Just needed to get better sooner, like I felt like it took us two stages to get the Dead On Tools Ford Mustang where it needed to be on balance.”
“We were just tight, tight, tight, and building tighter, it seemed like that was the death wish, if you were tight at the start of the run you were going to end horribly, so we were just freeing up all day and I was waiting for it to get too loose, but it never really did, it ended the race probably a little bit too tight, but really good on lap time and in the hunt there.” – Harrison Burton
News in Brief: Harrison Burton’s Career Rebound Picks Up Speed
Harrison Burton’s expedition in NASCAR has been an exhilarating ride, filled with ups and downs. His recent top 10 finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marks a turning point, showcasing his determination and skill. After a challenging 2024, Burton and AM Racing are gaining momentum.
As the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity season unfolds, fans enthusiastically watch his playoff push. With renewed energy and focus, Burton is poised for greater success, promising captivating races ahead for his supporters.
ALSO READ: Harrison Burton’s Cup Dream Ends in Disappointment—Can He Redeem Himself in NASCAR Xfinity Series?
