Harrison Burton scored an unexpected victory on Saturday night at the Daytona International Speedway. A NASCAR Cup Series driver who had been struggling in the lowest ranks and was set to end his run with Wood Brothers Racing at the end of this year, Burton suddenly skyrocketed from 34th in the standing to making the 2024 playoffs. He managed to avoid major crashes that took out other contenders, before spectacularly blocking Kyle Busch on the final lap to claim the victory. A visibly overwhelmed Burton said, “I cried for the whole cool-down lap.”
Burton’s surprise victory has created turmoil in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff field. Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion who narrowly missed out on this win, is one of the drivers in a difficult spot leading into the regular-season finale at Darington Raceway. Christopher Bell trailed Burton and Busch, finishing third, while Cody Ware and Ty Gibbs took the fourth and fifth places, respectively. Commenting on his strategy, Burton explained that he called on his past experience and knowledge from watching the game closely.
The unexpected twist has breathed new life into Burton’s career. Despite facing a future uncertainty about which team he will race with next year, his victory ensures that he leaves Wood Brothers Racing with a noteworthy addition to his career resume. It also marks the 100th victory for Wood Brothers Racing, an establishment with a legacy of NASCAR participation dating back to 1950. “These guys have rallied behind me when it matters the most,” expressed Burton.
Two accidents during the course of the race added to the drama. Both Josh Berry and Michael McDowell emerged unscathed from their respective crashes. While McDowell’s car was briefly airborne after a collision with another racer, Berry experienced a high-speed slide that slammed his car into an inner wall. Both drivers affirmed that such risky incidents are a part and parcel of the racing spectacle at Daytona, especially given the fact that the horsepower generated by the cars is limited.
The win guarantees one of the 16 playoff spots for Burton, effectively reducing the number of places available for other drivers without a win. Depending on the outcome of a penalty appeal by Austin Dillon, the situation might become even more challenging. Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs, Chris Buescher, and Bubby Wallace stand above the current cutoff. Ross Chastain is also in the fray, though he trails Buescher by 27 points.
Kyle Busch’s second-place finish, though a letdown, still puts him among the must-win contenders at Darlington. Admitting that there was little he could have done differently, Busch rued the reduced energy and lacking number of cars towards the end of the race. He also acknowledged the luck factor involved in avoiding major wrecks. The recent turn of events has led to an exciting shakeup in the playoff picture, leaving fans eager for the upcoming races.
