Harrison Burton will not return to AM Racing for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts season (currently known as the Xfinity Series), the team announced Wednesday.
Burton, who turns 24 on Thursday, returned to the Xfinity Series this year after three seasons with Wood Brothers Racing in the Cup Series. He’s earned 10 top 10s and two top fives through 29 races, wheeling the No. 25 Ford to the playoffs for the first time in the organization’s history. Burton was eliminated from championship contention last weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.
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“I want to thank AM Racing, Tim Self and Wade Moore for the opportunity and trust at a pivotal moment in my career after I lost my Cup seat entering 2025,” Burton shared Wednesday on X. “From day one, the group’s commitment and preparation helped us deliver tangible progress. So far, we have team-record top-five and top-10 results and the organization’s first trip to the Xfinity Series Playoffs. I’m proud of how we show up each week, compete at the highest level and finish strong. I’m also grateful for the people who made this possible: our crew members, engineers, office staff, partners and the fans who have our backs everywhere we race.
“This season reminded me why I love competing: the teamwork, the focus and the fight. I’m super excited about the next chapter.”
In 104 career Xfinity races, Burton owns four victories, all of which came in 2020 as he drove the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to an eighth-place finish in points. He finished eighth in points a year later with JGR before moving to Cup for the 2022 season. Burton earned his lone Cup victory to date last August at Daytona International Speedway, clinching a Cup Series Playoffs berth.
Son of former driver and current NBC Sports broadcaster Jeff Burton, Harrison made his national series debut in 2016 and additionally has 40 career Craftsman Truck Series starts.
“The organization thanks Harrison and the Burton family for their professionalism and contributions on and off the track, and wishes them continued success in Harrison’s future endeavors,” the team said in a statement. “AM Racing will share additional updates regarding 2026 driver and program plans at a later date.”
The NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs continue Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, The CW, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
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