Harrison Burton Captures Historic Win at Daytona International Speedway

24-year-old Harrison Burton captured a dramatic and historic win at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, clinching his place in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Not only is Harrison the third member of his family to win at Daytona, but he notched the 100th win for racing’s storied Wood Brothers Racing.

Burton held off strong charges from Kyle Busch and Parker Retzlaff in the closing laps, having to perfectly execute a defense strategy in the highly volatile Daytona draft. Like Burton, Busch needed to win Daytona to secure a spot in the playoffs, or else he’d be down to one final chance next week at Darlington Speedway. Both in desperate positions, David slayed Goliath: Burton picked up his first career win over 63-time winner Busch.

Further adding to the emotions was that Harrison’s father, NASCAR veteran and commentator Jeff Burton, was watching from the press box as his son climbed to the summit of the racing world. Within minutes he’d descended down to the track surface to embrace Harrison. “That is what the sport is about,’’ a proud Burton said of his son’s big moment.

Much of the field was thinned out in a series of multi-car crashed over the course of the race, including the dominant cars of Joey Logano and Josh Berry. The latter, who also needed the win, flipped onto his roof and spun around several times before hitting the wall and coming to a stop still upside down. Along with Berry, pole-sitter Michael McDowell became airborne at one point before landing on all four wheels.

Though Burton himself was an upset, multiple other late contenders represented even more shocking potential. Retzlaff was making only his second career Cup Series start, and nearly took his part-time team to victory lane. Cody Ware, driving for his father’s race team, finished fourth to nearly capture the first ever win for Rick Ware Racing.

By winning Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, Burton cemented his name among racing legends who’ve won for the Wood Brothers. The team, which was founded in 1950, has achieved victory with names like David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, A.J. Foyt, Dale Jarrett, and Buddy Baker. They’ve won the Daytona 500 three times, most recently in 2011. Despite announcing they’d be parting ways with Burton at the close of the 2024 season, Wood Brothers Racing now has 100 NASCAR victories to celebrate across their storied history.

“I cried the whole victory lap,” Burton said. “I obviously got fired from this job and wanted to do everything for the Wood Brothers I could, they’ve given me an amazing opportunity in life and to give the 100th [win] on my way out is amazing. We’re in the playoffs now. Let’s go to Darlington and see what happens.’’

Full Results:

1. Harrison Burton – #21 DEX Imaging Ford (Wood Brothers Racing)
2. Kyle Busch – #8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)
3. Christopher Bell – #20 Interstate Batteries Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
4. Cody Ware – #15 Jacob Construction / Parts Plus Ford (Rick Ware Racing)
5. Ty Gibbs – #54 Reagan The Movie Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
6. Bubba Wallace – #23 Columbia Sportswear Company Toyota (23XI Racing)
7. Parker Retzlaff – #62 Funkaway Chevrolet (Beard Motorsports)
8. Brad Keselowski – #6 King’s Hawaiian Ford (Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing)
9. Daniel Hemric – #31 Cirkul Chevrolet (Kaulig Racing)
10. Chris Buescher – #17 Fifth Third Bank Ford (Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing)
11. Carson Hocevar – #77 Premier Security Chevrolet (Spire Motorsports)
12. Ross Chastain – #1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet (Trackhouse Racing)
13. Zane Smith – #71 Ambetter Health Chevrolet (Spire Motorsports)
14. Chase Briscoe – #14 Mahindra Compact Tractors Ford (Stewart-Haas Racing)
15. John Hunter Nemechek – #42 Pye Barker Fire & Safety Toyota (Legacy Motor Club)
16. Alex Bowman – #48 Ally Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)
17. Erik Jones – #43 Family Dollar Toyota (Legacy Motor Club)
18. Austin Cindric – #2 Menards / Tarkett Ford (Team Penske)
19. B.J. McLeod – #78 Power Slap Chevrolet (Live Fast Motorsports)
20. Joey Gase – #44 NFPA Chevrolet (NY Racing)
21. Kyle Larson – #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)
22. Austin Dillon – #3 Breztri Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)
23. Todd Gilliland – #38 Grillo’s Pickles Ford (Front Row Motorsports)
24. Martin Truex Jr. – #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
25. Austin Hill – #33 United Rentals Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)
26. Josh Berry – #4 Eero Ford (Stewart-Haas Racing)
27. William Byron – #24 Liberty University Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)
28. Tyler Reddick – #45 MoneyLion Toyota (23XI Racing)
29. Ryan Blaney – #12 Advance Auto Parts Ford (Team Penske)
30. Michael McDowell – #34 Long John Silver’s Ford (Front Row Motorsports)
31. Joey Logano – #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford (Team Penske)
32. Justin Haley – #51 Beef-a-Roo Ford (Rick Ware Racing)
33. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – #47 Kroger / Biggie Muffins Capri Sun Chevrolet (JTG Daugherty Racing)
34. Corey LaJoie – #7 Celsius Chevrolet (Spire Motorsports)
35. Shane Van Gisbergen – #16 Safety Culture Chevrolet (Kaulig Racing)
36. Chase Elliott – #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)
37. Noah Gragson – #10 Rush Truck Centers Ford (Stewart-Haas Racing)
38. Denny Hamlin – #11 FedEx Cares Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
39. Ryan Preece – #41 TRUEWERK Ford (Stewart-Haas Racing)
40. Daniel Suárez – #99 Coca-Cola Zero Chevrolet (Trackhouse Racing)