What’s Happening?

Harrison Burton won when he needed to most on Saturday. Now out of a ride but with a win in his pocket, has Burton improved his market value in the past week?

• Harrison Burton began his career with Toyota Racing Development, winning races with Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series before beginning his career at Ford in 2022.
• Burton’s time at Ford has been less than stellar. He has been statistically worse each season he has been with the Wood Brothers, which resulted in him losing his ride prior to his win at Daytona.

What does free agency look like?

The NASCAR Cup Series Silly Season has been tough. Of the two Stewart Haas Racing charters sold, one charter was filled with a former SHR driver, Noah Gragson, and the other was Shane Van Gisbergen’s in-house option at Trackhouse.

However, hopefuls like Burton still have two known spots and at least one unknown spot: the final SHR chart, No. 7 at Spire Motorsports, and the unknown numbered car at Front Row Motorsports.

While signing a non-free agent driver could open up a lateral seat, say Justin Haley leaves Rick Ware Racing, Cup Series free agency is already a packed house and growing.

Alongside Burton are Corey Lajoie, Zane Smith, and Ryan Preece. This is not to mention the wealth of Xfinity talent looking for rides in 2024, like Riley Herbst and Chandler Smith.

How does Harrison’s stack up?

Burton has one notable advantage over all three drivers: he has now won a Cup Series race.

Burton is less consistent than Ryan Preece. However, he is still young and has a long future at the top level, unlike Preece, who is in the back half of his career.

A team deciding on Preece could take him as a consistent veteran to build a foundation for young drivers. This description matches the profile of both known open rides.

Burton’s time in Cup is similar to that of Corey Lajoie. However, Lajoie has not had as consistent a year as Preece, with major accidents in multiple races.

Compared to Zane Smith, Burton may not have much other than his Cup Series win. Smith is a talented driver and champion. While his season was comparable to Burton’s, Smith has stepped up astronomically in recent races.

If it came down between these two, at, say, FRM, Burton’s only benefit might be Smith’s rough, sudden exit from Ford and FRM last season.

The Xfinity Series is definitely an option for Burton. With rides at JR Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing available, Burton, a proven winner in the series, could get a restart on his career.

While his stock in the Cup Series may have risen a bit, Burton may be a top name in the Xfinity Series.

A win is still a win. Few drivers can say they have one; whether it elbows Burton into a new spot is up to fate and the situation. Wherever he goes, Burton, now more than ever, will be behind the wheel in 2025 full-time.

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