NASCAR racing has been synonymous with family and their continued contribution to the sport. The Pettys were the flagbearers in the early days; the Earnhardts then continued the legacy. And even today, multiple racing families still add to this unique equation with stock car racing. It is as if you were born into a racing family; odds are, you’ll become a race car driver yourself.

While the prospect of continuing the family’s racing legacy is inviting and exciting, not everyone is guaranteed success just by carrying a family banner. This is something a second-generation racer like Harrison Burton can relate to. Although he got a taste of winning races in Xfinity, his time in the Cup Series has been a tough ride so far.

Despite his recent struggles and challenges, his father, Jeff Burton, advised him to give it his all and finish his stint at Wood Brothers Racing on a high.

Harrison Burton will need to map out his plans for the 2025 season

With Wood Brothers Racing announcing Josh Berry as their new driver in 2025, Harrison Burton, driving the No. 21 Ford, will have to vacate his season at the end of the season. In his third full-time season at WBR, the 23-year-old has not been able to repeat his heroics from the Xfinity Series.

In over 80 starts, he has just four top-10s and a single top finish. With the 2024 season following a similar trend, the higher-ups on the team decided to replace Harrison Burton with a better prospect, and they ended up signing Josh Berry, as SHR is set to shut down its operations. For a young driver who quickly rose ranks and found himself in a Cup ride to now being shown an exit door is a humbling experience.

However, despite his struggles, Jeff Burton believed that the only way to make amends for his woes was to give his all in the remaining races of the season. “At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, if it works out or not, did you give it everything that it deserved, right? Because it is a damn privilege to drive a race car for a living. There’s only a very small amount of people that get a chance to do that. So if you are one of those few, make sure you don’t take that for granted.” The 57-year-old said this via NASCAR’s YouTube channel.

So what’s next for Burton Jr. after the 2025 season? Does he find a new seat at the Cup level, or will he need to drop down to the Xfinity Series?

Where will Burton land before the start of the 2025 season?

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Given how the young driver has struggled to perform on the track, it would be a hard sell for him to retain a Cup ride. However, given the dynamics of the silly season, a lot could change swiftly. Rick-Ware Racing could be a good option if they are looking to consider moving away from Justin Haley. Now, Burton could do with a change of environment, and who knows, a new Ford camp just might spark his revival.

Kaulig Racing is a rather tricky opportunity, as they do have two charters, but they are yet to confirm their drivers for the 2025 season. Daniel Hemric is the only driver who runs a full schedule in the No. 31, the No. 16 is a shared ride. Who knows? SVG might find himself in that seat next season, given that Trackhouse Racing has ties with Kaulig.

So, it’s a tough ask for him to secure a Cup ride next year. However, an opportunity in the Xfinity Series could prove to be just the remedy Burton needs to get back on track. Even a part-time ride with former team JGR could help him reshape his career. At 23, he does have a lot of time to rebuild and bounce back at the Cup level. An exit from WBR is not the end of his Cup Series dream; it’s just that he needs to prove his credentials as a talented and hardworking race car driver.