NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Harrison Burton (25) poses a challenge for the lead during the Great Clips 200 at Darlington Raceway. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Harrison Burton, AM Racing played strategy to perfection at Darlington

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 8:25 PM ET

A 13th-place finish won't show it, but Harrison Burton and the No. 25 AM Racing team executed a great race on Saturday at Darlington Raceway.

To most fans, 13th is a rather pedestrian day. But Burton's day at Darlington was one where the No. 25 team played the strategy game to a tee and were rewarded.

Burton qualified 14th, but a Lap 23 caution flag flipped his race upside down. While most of the leaders stayed out under the caution period, Burton came down pit road for four fresh tires — an invaluable asset at Darlington, which chews up tires like no other track on the circuit.

At Darlington, fresh tires may as well be a superpower. Burton flew through the field on the ensuing restart and passed leader Justin Allgaier on Lap 39. Burton ended up cruising to the Stage 1 victory, netting him 10 extra points along with a playoff point.

Fresh tires help you go fast!@HBurtonRacing plays the strategy game to win Stage 1 at @TooToughToTame. pic.twitter.com/FavpeEQuxh
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 5, 2025

With the rest of the field having to follow Burton down pit road at stage yellow, Burton retained his track position, finishing fifth in Stage 2. In Stage 3, he took advantage of a late yellow to put his final set of fresh tires — which at that point, not everyone in the field had — on his Ford, allowing him to make a few more spots in the closing laps.

Burton crossed the line in 13th with 40 points scored on the day, moving him up to 10th in the Xfinity Series points standings. Eight races into the 2025 season, Burton is 10 points above the playoff cut line.

Burton's finishing position wasn't flashy, but he and the No. 25 team did their job and remain in the mix for a playoff spot.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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