Harrison Burton, now with AM Racing and sponsored by Morton Buildings, is prepared to push for a critical playoff surge as the NASCAR Xfinity Series descends on Iowa Speedway for the Hy-Vee Perks 250 this weekend. This Harrison Burton Iowa Xfinity Race Preview comes at a pivotal time as the series nears its postseason cutoff, with Burton just shy of the playoff berth in his return to the Xfinity ranks.
AM Racing’s New Chapter with Harrison Burton and Morton Buildings
The No. 25 Ford Mustang team operated by AM Racing embarks on its third NASCAR Xfinity Series season with Harrison Burton behind the wheel, marking a significant development for the family-owned team. Originally announced in September 2024, Burton—a former NASCAR Cup Series winner—was revealed as AM Racing’s full-time driver for the entire 33-race Xfinity Series season beginning with Daytona International Speedway’s season opener in February 2025. The partnership continues at the Hy-Vee Perks 250 in Newton, Iowa, with Burton bringing valuable experience from both Xfinity and Cup Series competition.
Burton, aged 24 and a native of Huntersville, North Carolina, spent the last three years in the Cup Series, most recently completing over 100 starts with Wood Brothers Racing. As part of his transition back to Xfinity, Morton Buildings returns as the primary sponsor at Iowa Speedway, a track that has become a focal point for AM Racing’s playoff ambitions. Morton Buildings, based in Morton, Illinois, has a longstanding reputation in post-frame construction and was listed among the top 100 employee-owned companies in the nation by the National Center for Employee Ownership in 2024. Their partnership also extends a tradition of excellence, bringing additional attention to AM Racing’s efforts in the second of the sponsor’s two scheduled primary races this year.
Critical Summer Stretch and Playoff Positioning
As the Xfinity Series approaches its postseason cutoff, Iowa Speedway serves as a crucial contest in a nine-race summer stretch that has tested both drivers and crews. The 0.875-mile short track is a Midwest favorite and this event is the penultimate weekend before the regular season winds toward its conclusion at Watkins Glen International in New York. Throughout this demanding run, Burton has averaged finishes just outside the top ten, maintaining a points deficit of only ten to the playoff cutline with five races remaining. He currently stands 13th in the driver points and 14th in the owner standings.
Burton’s prior Xfinity experience at Iowa is notable. In 2019, while with Joe Gibbs Racing, he started 10th and crossed the finish line in fourth during the CircuitCity.com 250. He also gained Cup Series experience at the track in June 2024, piloting the No. 21 Ford Mustang to a 20th-place result after starting 25th during the Iowa Corn 350. These outings reinforce Burton’s comfort and familiarity with the challenging circuit in Newton.
Assessing Harrison Burton’s Racing Resume
Across 96 career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Burton boasts four victories, 27 top-five finishes, and 55 top-ten efforts, highlighted by consecutive eighth-place championship finishes in 2020 and 2021. All four of his Xfinity wins came during the 2020 campaign, including memorable triumphs at Auto Club Speedway in California, Homestead-Miami, Texas Motor Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway. As the son of former driver and current TV analyst Jeff Burton, Harrison carries a rich racing legacy while posting an impressive Xfinity average finish of 12.5.
His broader racing credentials feature 109 NASCAR Cup Series starts, forty starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, and over fifty appearances in the ARCA Menards Series—underscoring a depth of experience that the AM Racing team hopes will translate into on-track success at Iowa and beyond.
Recap of Indianapolis and Progress in 2025
Burton’s recent outing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway provided more evidence of his resilience and speed. After qualifying 20th and encountering early trouble with a spin in Stage 1, he executed a strong comeback, rallying through the field before late-race chaos ultimately led to an 18th-place result. Despite the setback, it marked his 15th top-20 finish of the season, further solidifying his campaign as one of consistency and perseverance.
AM Racing’s season, now more than halfway complete, has been supported by a network of dedicated partners, notably including Morton Buildings, AIRBOX Air Purifier, Blue Wolf Cleaner & Degreasers, Dead On Tools, DEX Imaging, Eagle Rentals, Flying Circle, Mechanix Wear, Racing Radios, Volt Batteries, and WIX Filters.
Leadership and Team Dynamics: Efland and Hamlin Guide the Effort
The push for a playoff spot is overseen by crew chief Danny Efland, a seasoned race engineer and former driver in his 26th Xfinity Series race calling the shots—though this will be his first as crew chief at Iowa Speedway. Efland’s prior results include one pole position and multiple top-five and top-ten finishes as crew chief, while spotter Kevin Hamlin adds a steady voice from above the track. Together, they form a team determined to capitalize on every opportunity in the remaining regular-season races.
Driver’s Perspective: Harrison Burton on Iowa and Playoff Push
Burton is particularly energized for this return to Iowa Speedway, emphasizing both the uniqueness of the track and the high stakes at play:
“Every point matters right now, and with how tight the Playoff picture is, this weekend is a great opportunity for us to make up some ground.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
His focus on success at Iowa centers on strategic execution and adaptability, especially when track position and race restarts take on amplified significance:
“We’ll need to qualify well, execute on pit road, and make the right adjustments to keep the car balanced throughout the race. If we can do that, we’ll put ourselves in a good spot to contend.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
The intensity of the playoff battle, especially when family ties are involved, is not lost on Burton as he competes against his cousin, Jeb Burton, for the last berth:
“For us, it’s about executing every weekend, maximizing stage points and putting ourselves in position for strong finishes. I believe in this AM Racing team and we’re going to keep digging until we’re on the right side of that cutline.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
Reflecting on his Indianapolis race, Burton’s determination to build on adversity is clear:
“Unfortunately, on that last restart, we just got stuck in the wrong lane and things got a little chaotic. It’s frustrating to come away with 18th when I think we were capable of a top-10 and we lost the opportunity to score some points, but we’ll regroup and keep digging.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
On the broader outlook for the season, the driver’s optimism is undimmed as the playoff chase intensifies:
“We’ve got a great group of people and partners who continue to believe in what we’re building. Nothing would mean more to me than delivering AM Racing its first Xfinity Series win, locking into the Playoffs, and making a serious run at the championship.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
Event Details: Hy-Vee Perks 250 at Iowa Speedway
The Hy-Vee Perks 250 stands as the 21st race of the 33-event 2025 Xfinity Series schedule. Practice sessions commence on Saturday morning, August 2, 2025, followed by qualifying, with the 38-car field taking the green flag in the afternoon. Fans can tune in to live coverage on The CW Network, Motor Racing Network radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. Every session at the Newton, Iowa venue holds elevated stakes as Burton and AM Racing look to secure points and momentum ahead of the postseason opener at Bristol Motor Speedway in September.
Looking Ahead: The Playoff Hunt and Season Implications
With only five races remaining before the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff cutoff, Harrison Burton and the AM Racing No. 25 team face a defining stretch for their 2025 campaign. The influence of Morton Buildings as sponsor, the tactical expertise of crew chief Danny Efland, and Burton’s adaptability at Iowa Speedway coalesce for a concerted push to secure a playoff position. The outcome at Iowa will play a significant role in shaping the team’s postseason aspirations and, potentially, deliver a milestone first Xfinity Series win for AM Racing as they build toward championship contention.
