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NASCAR almost every year "releases" one talent who will dominate the NASCAR tracks. One of the better-known names is Harrison Burton, a 24-year-old NASCAR driver. Burton failed to achieve his goals this season and will compete in the Nascar Xfinity Series starting next year.
Although it looked like this young driver could do great things at some moments, Burton couldn't impose his pace and make a positive result in the Cup Series. From season to season, the question of whether some drivers are friendly towards others, taking a different approach against other competitors, lingers.
Harris Burton stresses that things have always been the same. The young driver points out that he drives harder against his friends, recalling some of the moments during the races.
“No chance,” Burton said, as quoted by NASCAR.
“I can promise you, we race each other harder. I can think off the top of my head the amount of times me and Todd Gilliland have ran into each other, me and Noah having our fight or racing really hard.”
It has been shown in previous years that many drivers perform perhaps even more aggressively than they should, regardless of who is next to them. Many of them didn't take into account whether there is an older, more experienced colleague next to them or a friend with whom they have a great relationship outside of the NASCAR world.
The goal of each of them is to achieve victory, sometimes not choosing the way to achieve victory.
Harrison Burton is obviously one of those, but not the only one. Many NASCAR drivers perform aggressively, sometimes not choosing the means and methods to reach the goal. Drivers especially give their best, if there is a driver next to them whom they may not like.
The 24-year-old spoke about it.
Burton admits that there were moments when there was no sympathy between the drivers, and then the passion during the race was even greater. He recalled the rivalry with Noah Gragson and said that the two of them are now great friends, and that they will remain so.
"We've all had our moments where we don't like each other," Burton said.
"Like me and Noah fought each other and now are friends, right? And we were friends before that and are friends after that."
Burton explained that it is perfectly normal for contestants to have disagreements or conflicts at times. We have witnessed how many races we have had the opportunity to see on the NASCAR scene in recent years. Many drivers even crossed the line, being severely punished.
Burton reflected on a time when he and Noah had a misunderstanding, even to the point of fighting, but still managed to reconcile and remain friends. Their relationship shows the connection between people who come from similar backgrounds and face similar problems and obstacles. They compete very fiercely on the track, pushing themselves and others to the limit, which occasionally leads to conflict. Despite this, most NASCAR drivers realize their mistakes, correct them, and resolve disagreements with their colleagues again.
This shows that most drivers have a sporting spirit in them, but sometimes the desire to win can turn a calm person full of empathy into a person that he is not.
Harris Burton reflects on his first victory: I cried the whole victory lap
The young driver had positive moments this season, especially the victory at Daytona in August this year. Few expected that the young driver could make such a result, but his maturity in such a race was crucial to achieve victory. Burton's emotions were at their peak, and the 24-year-old revealed that he even cried during the victory lap. Given that he knew what kind of future awaited him, despite everything, he wanted to give his best, but few expected that he could actually win.
Harrison won't easily forget August 2024.
"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.''
His father, too, couldn't hide his emotions, watching his son achieve his first victory in the Cup Series. Such moments will remain engraved in the head of this promising young man, who has space and time to progress and return to his old environment. Burton will surely be even better from season to season, so let's wait and see what he brings us in 2025.
English (US)