Harrison Burton and the AM Racing team are turning their focus toward the high-stakes Mission 200 at Watkins Glen International, aiming to solidify their NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff position on August 9, 2025. This race serves as a crucial juncture for the team as they continue their campaign in the No. 25 AirBox Ford Mustang, hoping to build on recent successes and push further up the championship standings. The context behind the
“Harrison Burton Watkins Glen Xfinity Preview”
is strong, as both Burton and AM Racing view Watkins Glen as an opportunity to capitalize on momentum gained during the summer stretch.
Burton, who is set to compete in his second-ever Xfinity start at Watkins Glen, has brought renewed energy and optimism to the AM Racing organization. The team, currently in its third year in the series, is working closely with partners and supporters to ensure both performance and consistency as the Playoffs approach.
Key Team Members and Technical Partners Fuel Confidence
The backbone of AM Racing’s effort includes experienced crew members and established technical collaborations. Danny Efland, a veteran race engineer and former Xfinity Series driver, serves as crew chief for the No. 25 team. Efland brings a record of competitive performances, including one career pole, three top-five, and nine top-10 finishes in his previous 26 races in this role. As the spotter, Kevin Hamlin provides on-track guidance, while AM Racing relies on the proven AMR Chassis No. 079 and Roush-Yates Engines to power their Ford Mustang.
Primary sponsorship comes from AirBox, which is increasing its involvement by headlining the car at Watkins Glen for the third time this season. AirBox, founded in 2017, is recognized as an industry leader in commercial indoor air quality solutions, offering advanced air purification systems designed to improve indoor environments. Their North Carolina-made High-Volume Air Purifiers are known for combining HEPA filtration with innovative molecular adsorbent technology, providing robust air quality for a range of clients.
Burton’s Racing Pedigree and Xfinity Experience
Harrison Burton brings a solid racing résumé to AM Racing, having run for the past three years in the NASCAR Cup Series, where he most recently drove for Wood Brothers Racing. The 24-year-old from Huntersville, North Carolina, is making a highly anticipated return to Xfinity in 2025, eager to leverage his top-tier experience for a Playoff run.
In his Xfinity career, Burton has participated in 97 races, scoring four victories—all in 2020—at Auto Club Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway. He boasts 28 top-five and 56 top-10 finishes, with a best championship result of eighth place achieved twice. His average finishing position over four seasons sits at a competitive 12.4. Beyond Xfinity, Burton’s experience includes over 100 Cup Series starts, 40 races in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, and 52 ARCA Menards Series starts—demonstrating versatility and adaptability across NASCAR’s national touring series.
Burton is the son of former driver and television analyst Jeff Burton, adding another layer of racing heritage to his profile. He has already proven his mettle at Watkins Glen, with a fifth-place Xfinity finish for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021 and three Cup Series starts at the same venue, completing nearly all laps run and maintaining an average Cup finish of 28.3 at the iconic New York track.
Importance of the Watkins Glen Race to Playoff Prospects
The Mission 200 at The Glen marks the conclusion of an intense nine-race stretch, considered pivotal in shaping the Playoff picture ahead of the postseason opener at Bristol Motor Speedway in September. The recent schedule has seen the Xfinity Series tackle a diverse set of tracks, giving teams like AM Racing the chance to demonstrate both resilience and adaptability. With only four races left in the regular season following Watkins Glen, each event grows in importance as teams battle for Playoff positions.
Consistency has been a hallmark for Burton and AM Racing during this section of the calendar. They have established an average finish of 13th and delivered a standout top-five result at Iowa Speedway last weekend, which moved them above the Playoff cutline. The team credits their partners, including AirBox, Blue Wolf Cleaner & Degreasers, Dead On Tools, DEX Imaging, Eagle Rentals, Flying Circle, Mechanix Wear, Morton Buildings, Racing Radios, Volt Batteries, and WIX Filters, for providing the support to remain competitive deep into the summer stretch. The AirBox colors have also been featured previously at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and Sonoma Raceway, furthering the connection between sponsor and success in road course settings.
Recent Performance Heading into the Mission 200
Last week at Iowa Speedway, Harrison Burton and the AM Racing crew demonstrated their season-best pace during practice and fought through a challenging qualifying run, starting 17th. Burton quickly advanced into the top 10, ultimately securing a fifth-place finish in a race that ended under caution. This result marked the second top-five of the year for Burton, the first since Rockingham, and lifted the team above the Playoff cutline with momentum on their side as they target the final regular-season races.
After Watkins Glen, teams will enjoy a much-needed break before returning to Daytona International Speedway, followed by races at Portland International Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. These closing rounds will decide which teams secure the remaining Playoff berths and shape the postseason field for 2025.
Harrison Burton’s Approach and Strategy at Watkins Glen
As Harrison Burton returns to Watkins Glen for his second Xfinity start at the road course, his focus is firmly on building upon his prior achievements and leveraging his Cup Series experience to maximize results. This mindset was echoed in his remarks about the upcoming race:
“The goal this weekend is to build off that past success, race smart, and keep our No. 25 AirBox Ford Mustang up front where we believe it belongs.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
Burton emphasizes both tactical aggression and technical precision as the keys to navigating the demanding track. He noted the importance of effective braking, especially in pivotal zones like Turn 1 and the Bus Stop, and underscores the significance of consistent lap execution throughout the carousel and on exits. His approach is to focus on maintaining optimal track position and making decisive moves when opportunities arise late in the race:
“If we execute all that, I think we’ll be in a great position with our No. 25 AirBox Ford Mustang.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
Strategy, particularly with regard to stage racing and maximizing point opportunities, is another focus for Burton and the team. They intend to be competitive from the outset, aiming for stage points and seeking the right positioning for a strong final stage run:
“Like I’ve mentioned before, every point matters right now and if we can stay clean and execute throughout the day, we’ll put ourselves in a good spot to maximize our result and keep pushing toward the Playoffs.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
The competitive Playoff situation means that every race carries high stakes for Burton, who remains determined to sustain their upward trajectory:
“The regular season is winding down and our focus is on being consistent, minimizing mistakes and making sure we’re still in a strong position when the Playoff field is set.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
Reflecting on the team’s strong outing at Iowa Speedway, Burton offered praise for the collective effort and set his sights on maintaining momentum:
“Now the goal is to keep building on that performance and carry the momentum through the rest of the regular season.”
—Harrison Burton, Driver
Building Toward the 2025 Season and Future Goals
Looking ahead, both Burton and AM Racing remain committed to the larger goals for the 2025 Xfinity Series campaign. Burton views the current performance as validation of the team’s capabilities and sees further opportunities on the horizon:
“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
As they pass the two-thirds mark of the season, the group’s priorities are clear: to maintain their position above the Playoff cutline, minimize mistakes, and push for breakthrough results. With an established network of technical partners, an engaged fan base, and increased support from AirBox and other sponsors, AM Racing feels well situated to meet these objectives.
Race Day Details: Mission 200 at The Glen
The Mission 200 at The Glen features 82 laps around Watkins Glen International’s challenging 2.45-mile road course, making up 200.9 miles in total. As round 23 of the 33-race Xfinity schedule, the event is set for Saturday, August 9, 2025. Practice begins at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, followed by qualifying at 10:35 a.m. The green flag is scheduled to wave shortly after 3:00 p.m., with coverage available on The CW Network, Motor Racing Network Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. The field of 38 cars will battle not only for a race win but also for crucial championship points as the postseason nears.
With Watkins Glen shaping up to be a pivotal stop on the path to the Playoffs, all eyes will be on Harrison Burton and the No. 25 AM Racing crew as they aim for another strong showing and continue their quest for a breakthrough Xfinity Series victory.
