Harrison Burton (No. 21) saw his inspirational NASCAR Playoff dreams end due to power steering issues at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
BRISTOL, Tenn. — An inspired drive and victory in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona in late August landed Harrison Burton in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
On Saturday night, power steering issues curtailed those dreams at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Despite finishing 31st in the Playoff opener at Atlanta and 24th at Watkins Glen, anything was possible for the 23-year-old Huntersville, North Carolina, native. Even as his 2025 plans were solidified as the new driver of the No. 15 AM Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, Burton’s focus was on advancing to the Round of 12.
While running a lap behind leader Kyle Larson, Burton radioed to his No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford team that he had no power steering on Lap 221. Moments later, he drove behind the wall for his Wood Brothers Racing crew to address the power steering issue.
Returning on the track, Burton found himself 78 laps behind. As determined as Burton was to solider on without power steering, it became too problematic to stay on the track to battle for positions.
Harrison Burton tried to hang on but went behind the wall to address the No. 21 car’s power steering issues at Bristol. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
“Earlier in the race, it started to get heavier,” Burton explained. “By the last 60 laps, I ran it [and] had just zero power steering. It just got to where I couldn’t make corrections and my arms were just so tired that I couldn’t do anymore.”
Trusting his instincts rather than ignoring the nagging issues in his car, Burton understandably did not want his suspicions to be true. As the laps pressed onward, Burton and his team chose to resolve the power steering problems rather than compound the situation with more misfortune.
“I knew it was starting to slowly go and they normally don’t get better when they’re starting to get worse. I just didn’t say anything on my radio because I didn’t want it to be true. After about 180 laps of it you just can’t do it anymore, so it’s very frustrating and very sad.
“Even when we got back out there, I was just letting guys go when they would get somewhat close to me, but when I was along and just running, we were fast, but it just sucks to go out that way. You want to at least go down swinging.”
Harrison Burton is focused on finishing as high up in the points standings after a tough Round of 16 showing at Bristol. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
Although there was little to gain on Saturday night, Burton and his determined brigade want to make the best of these final seven races. Placing 35th, the championship quest may be over, but his focus is on finishing as high up in the points standings for his Cup home since 2022.
“It’s a really sad way to end it, but really proud of our guys,” Burton said. “They changed the rack really fast and got a new pump in it. We gained a couple spots just from guys wiping themselves out.
“We didn’t quit, but obviously a frustrating way to go. I’m happy to have been a part of it. I’m proud of our guys for ending our relationship the right way and just hope to end the rest of the playoffs strong because we still have a lot to gain total points wise if we can just get some good races together. We’re not quitting yet. We’ll be back and ready to go.”
