NASCAR takeaways: Harrison Burton pulled off an epic upset at Daytona International Speedway, clinching a spot in the 2024 playoffs. On a night filled with unpredictability, he rose from 34th in the standings to secure victory, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Aware that he would not be returning to the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 car next season, Burton skillfully navigated through a series of major wrecks that eliminated several frontrunners. A timely push from Parker Retzlaff and a strategic block on Kyle Busch during the final lap propelled him to victory.
Although Burton’s future remains uncertain, he now boasts a NASCAR Cup win and has achieved the milestone of 100 victories for Wood Brothers Racing, a team with a storied history dating back to 1950.
“I cried for the whole cool-down lap,” Burton expressed. “These past three years have been the hardest of my life. There’s no denying it. But these guys have rallied behind me when it mattered most.”
His win shook up the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture, leaving two-time Cup champion Busch in a must-win situation as the series heads into the final race of the regular season next Sunday at Darlington Raceway. Busch finished second, followed by Christopher Bell, Cody Ware, and Ty Gibbs.
Burton’s Stunning Victory
With only one top-5 finish and five top-10s in his first 97 Cup races, Burton’s experience in winning scenarios was limited. Yet, he relied on his past racing knowledge and instincts during the crucial overtime restart.
“I’ve been fortunate to win many races in my younger days,” he noted. “You just have to trust the film you’ve watched and the experiences you’ve had.”
At just 23 years old, Burton, the son of former Cup driver Jeff Burton, values the opportunity to compete at this level, despite the challenges he has faced.
“You never know when you’ll get a chance to drive again,” he reflected. “I’ve had the privilege to work with the Wood Brothers for three years. When the chips were down, we delivered.”
Accidents on the Track
In the final laps, two significant accidents occurred. Josh Berry’s car slid on its roof for several hundred feet before crashing into an inside wall. This incident followed Michael McDowell’s wild spin after contact with Austin Cindric, where his car briefly became airborne before landing upright.
Fortunately, both drivers emerged unscathed. Berry noted that the area where he crashed had been repaved since Ryan Preece’s flip the previous year.
“Unfortunately, I just got turned around,” Berry explained. “The car lifted up and slid on its roof. The repaving held up well compared to last year, but the angle into the wall was strange. I feel okay but am disappointed because I thought I had a shot at winning.”
Both drivers acknowledged the inherent risks of racing at Daytona, where tight packs often lead to unpredictable outcomes.
“It was going over,” McDowell recalled. “I had my eyes closed. When I got hit, I landed back on the ground. It’s just part of racing at Daytona.”
Shifting Playoff Dynamics
Burton’s unexpected victory has left three playoff spots available for winless drivers, with the possibility of just one remaining if Austin Dillon wins his penalty appeal and a new winner emerges at Darlington.
Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs, and Chris Buescher are currently above the cut line, while Bubby Wallace trails by 21 points. Drivers like Busch now face a must-win scenario in the upcoming race.
Despite the disappointment of finishing second, Busch remained philosophical, acknowledging the challenges of the race. “With the limited energy of the cars, it was hard to make a move from Turn 4 to the finish line,” he stated. “We were fortunate to avoid wrecks.”
