Kyle Petty praises Harrison Burton after first win with Wood Brothers Racing
Harrison Burton is the latest in a long list of drivers before him to win their first career NASCAR Cup Series race driving for Wood Brothers Racing.
Burton held off Kyle Busch to take the checkered flag in this past Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, clinching his spot in the playoffs. He earned high praise from Kyle Petty on Monday, a fellow driver who notched his first career victory driving for the Wood Brothers.
“Great race for Harrison Burton,” Petty said. “Great first win. So many guys have won their first race with the Wood Brothers. Kyle Petty, Dale Jarrett, Trevor Bayne, Ryan Blaney, Elliott Sadler. I can go down the list. David Pearson won 43, Dan Gurney, Cale Yarborough and A.J. Foyt all won their second race driving for the Wood Brothers. So, congratulations to Wood Brothers on their 100th win. They’ve been here a long time, they’re going to be here a long time.”
Burton perfectly executed his blocks on Busch on the final lap to win at Daytona. For a driver whom Wood Brothers announced earlier this summer wouldn’t return to the team in 2025, this was a moment he desperately needed.
Jeff Burton describes calling first NASCAR win of son, Harrison Burton at Daytona for NBC
Not only a moment he’ll never forget but one his dad, Jeff Burton, won’t soon forget as well. Jeff Burton let out a first pump in the NBC booth before heading down to celebrate with his son on the track and later in Victory Lane.
Jeff Burton admitted after the race he went into “dad mode” on the broadcast watching his son race across the start-finish line.
“I’ve done this long enough and this is the fifth year I’ve called his races,” he said. “A hell of a lot more times he hasn’t won than he has, so you certainly don’t start thinking well this is the night. I’m just not that kind of person. But there’s a moment where yeah, I did turn into dad and look, the people I work for — they’re very family related and it’s OK for me to turn into dad. I’m uncomfortable turning into dad on air, but off air I’ll show myself and they don’t mind me doing that.”