Harrison Burton wins at Daytona to secure NASCAR playoff spot

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Out of contention and far from the playoffs, Harrison Burton turned things around with an unforgettable lap Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway.

The 23-year-old Burton passed two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch on the final lap of overtime to take his first career victory and a spot in the NASCAR playoffs.

Burton, who already lost his seat in the famed No. 21 Ford at Wood Brothers Racing next season, took the lead thanks to a huge push from little-known Parker Retzlaff.

Busch fought back and had a last-minute shot, even getting to Burton’s bumper and forcing Burton under the double yellow line. But NASCAR officials ruled that the contact sent Burton over the line and gave him no penalty.

“Other than completely destroying him, there was nothing else I could do,” Busch said.

Busch finished second, followed by Christopher Bell, Cody Ware and Ty Gibbs. It was Burton’s first win in 98 career Cup starts, and it was the 100th victory for the Wood brothers.

“I cried the whole lap of honour,” Burton said. “I’ve obviously been sacked from this job. I wanted to do everything I could for the Wood brothers. They’ve given me a great opportunity in life and for them to get (No.) 100 on my way out is amazing. We’re in the play-offs now. Let’s go to Darlington and see what happens.”

Burton’s father, former NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, called the race for NBC Sports and came on the radio to offer his congratulations. He also rushed down from the broadcast booth to celebrate with his son in victory lane.

“It’s been the toughest three years of my life, and obviously the toughest three years of some of these guys’ lives,” Harrison Burton said. “To win it the way we just did, to get the best in the business — Kyle Busch — to come out on top, is just amazing.”

No one saw it coming, even though Daytona often produces unique winners. Burton had one top-five finish and five top-10s in his three-plus years driving at NASCAR’s top level.

Now he gets to compete for a championship that would be even more unlikely.

Thirteen drivers have secured a spot in the playoffs with victories, consisting of sixteen drivers: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Bell, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric, Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Alex Bowman and Burton.

Five other drivers without a win are battling for the remaining three spots: Martin Truex Jr., Gibbs, Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain. The regular season concludes next week at Darlington.

All five competitors were involved in crashes at Daytona. The scariest crashes came late.

MORE ANTENNAS

Josh Berry’s No. 4 Ford flipped over and hit an inside retaining wall, flipping him over and sliding onto his roof. Berry had to wait in his car for a few minutes while security turned the car around. But Berry gave the crowd a thumbs up after he was helped.

Berry was leading when Austin Cindric was sent off the track by Busch with two laps to go and hit Berry.

It was the second rollover in less than a week. Corey LaJoie went for a wild ride Monday at Michigan International Speedway, and NASCAR modified the cars in hopes of increasing liftoff speed and keeping the cars on all four tires.

“We’ve got to figure out how to keep the cars on the ground,” said driver Joey Logano. “We’re not doing a great job right now.”

Michael McDowell’s No. 34 Ford appeared to be headed for a flip a few laps earlier. Cindric spun McDowell sideways during bump-drafting and McDowell’s car left the ground after being hit in the driver’s side door by Logano.

McDowell’s car stopped just as it was about to roll over.

PIT ROAD MELTDOWN

The No. 99 Chevrolet of Daniel Suarez literally had a meltdown in the pit lane.

After a pit stop, Suarez’s trunk caught fire, a strange coincidence that ended his night after 37 laps.

It started when Suarez and Denny Hamlin ended up behind Harrison Burton on pit road. Hamlin’s engine seemingly backfired as his exhaust hovered over spilled fuel, starting a fire that spread to the rear of Suarez’s car. By the time Suarez completed a qualifying lap, the fire had consumed the entire rear of his car.

“Just a bad deal,” Suarez said. “I felt the heat in my back but I couldn’t see it. Too bad.”

NEXT

NASCAR moves to Darlington Raceway for the final chance for drivers to secure those coveted playoff spots.