Harrison Burton, the recent Daytona Cup Series winner, is set to move to the NASCAR Xfinity Series as he joins AM Racing. Announced on Friday morning via a press release by AM Racing, Burton will drive the No. 15 Ford Mustang starting with the 2025 season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2025. This exciting move comes as Burton gears up to bring his experience from the Cup Series into a new league of racing.
"AM Racing proudly announced today that recent Daytona Cup Series winner Harrison Burton will join the organization to pilot the team's flagship Ford Mustang entry full-time in the Xfinity Series beginning with the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 15, 2025," the team said in their press release.
Burton will be leaving Wood Brothers Racing, a team where he spent three years driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang. The driver's career in the Cup Series has been marked by mixed results, though he garnered national attention with a memorable victory at the Coke Zero 400 in August, where he out-drive the seasoned driver Kyle Busch. Reflecting on his new opportunity, Burton is optimistic for his move:
"I'm excited to join AM Racing and help build it into the race-winning race team I believe it can and will be. I think this will be a great opportunity for me to take the things I've learned in the Cup Series, bring those to the Xfinity Series and be the best driver I can be.
"It's a blessing to continue my NASCAR journey, and I intend to make the most of this opportunity."
During the 2024 season, AM Racing employed a rotating roster of drivers including Hailie Deegan, Joey Logano, and several other one-off drivers. The decision to bring Burton on board signals a shift towards stability, where they can move their focus to the car, instead. By securing a full-time driver with proven experience and a recent high-profile victory, the team aims to foster consistent results and leverage Burton’s strong experience.
"We are equally proud to continue our strong partnerships with Ford Performance, Roush Yates Engines and HAAS Factory Team," the team's statement continued. "These collaborations have been instrumental in supporting our team's growth and success, and we look forward to building upon these relationships in the upcoming season.
"We will continue to invest in this team, our employees and ultimately, our future."
As Burton prepares for his new role, he remains in the current NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, where he sits P16. His victory at Daytona not only secured a playoff spot but also offers a chance to advance further, with the upcoming Brass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway being a crucial venue for the driver. However, he finds himself 20 points behind the cutoff, making the race a do-or-die situation for his playoff aspirations.
The current NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings reveal a competitive battle among top drivers such as Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, and Austin Cindric, with several drivers like Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. teetering on the edge. Harrison Burton's performance in the upcoming races will be closely watched as he strives to move into the Round of 12. Either way, his future is set.
