The promising female driver of the Xfinity series had an abrupt end to her run. It wasn’t long ago that Hailie Deegan and AM Racing decided to go their separate ways. After 17 races together, they decided to part company. Deegan’s best finish was 12th at Talladega, with just three top-20 finishes. The lack of stats was why the partnership ended. Deegan only had an average finish of 26.8 in her short-lived Xfinity career.

AM Racing, on the other hand, decided to switch things up. As the number 15 did not have a worthy suitor, the team decided to have a rotating cast of drivers in the Ford Mustang for the rest of the season. None has performed to the mark. However, they might have found a good match for the next season. It is rumored that Harrison Burton will take the AM ride. The NASCAR community has mixed reactions to this possibility.

Has Hailie Deegan’s replacement finally been found?

Hailie Deegan did show promise. Before she made the jump to NASCAR full-time in 2020, Hailie Deegan had a pretty good run in the ARCA Series. She didn’t win any races, but she finished in the top ten 17 times out of 20 races and ended up third overall for the season. And before that, she won three times in a couple of seasons, racing in the ARCA West series. In 2020, Deegan began her NASCAR journey in the Craftsman Truck Series, although, winless in the 70 starts she had, Deegan was voted the Truck Series’ Most Popular Driver all three years on that circuit.

This is why she was looked at as a prospect for the Xfinity Series and later promoted in 2022, where she only raced one race and managed a P13 in Vegas. Since Hailie’s exit, the #15, Ford Mustang Dark Horse had many drivers, including the two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Joey Logano. Logano drove for AM Racing in the Chicago race, where he got an 8th-place finish, the first and only top-10 finish for the team so far in the 2024 season.

Next, Josh Berry drove the car consecutively in Pocono and Indianapolis, where he finished in 27th and a DNF, respectively. The latest to take the wheel at Michigan was Lawless Alan, who also ended the race in a DNF. Other than Logano, the #15 car hasn’t had any success finding a better match. A recent rumor has put Harrison Burton behind its wheel.

Harrison Burton, once hailed as one of NASCAR’s brightest young stars, is having a season that’s far from what anyone expected. After a promising career in the Truck and Xfinity Series with notable teams like KBM and Joe Gibbs Racing, Burton made his Cup Series debut in 2022 with Wood Brothers Racing.

Driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Brothers Racing, Burton’s year has been marked by struggles and frustration. His race at the Ally 400, where Cup rookie Carson Hocevar repeatedly bumped the No. 21, leaving him with a disappointing 25th-place finish, was a prime example of the challenges he’s faced this season.

Adding to his misery was Wood Brothers Racing announced that Josh Berry would take over the No. 21 seat for the 2025 season. However, the possibility of returning to the Xfinity Series is on the table for him, and AM Racing has emerged as a potential landing spot. This rumor has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Some see it as a smart move that could help Burton revive his career, while others are skeptical.

Fans react to Burton’s demotion

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If we look at where Burton has had his best NASCAR performance, it has to be in the Xfinity Series, where he had his career’s best season so far. In 2020, only his second Xfinity season, Burton bagged four wins. His consistency was off the charts that season, with fifteen top-5s and twenty-two top-10 finishes. Burton was the top contender to become the Series champion.

Currently, he is 34th in the driver’s ranking with only one top 10 and 4 DNFs. Keeping in view, his Cup seat and his achievements from the Xfinity run, one fan agreed with the demotion; he wrote, “Actually a good fit.” Another fan echoed the same emotion as he wrote, “It’s where he belongs.” With Burton, the struggling AM racing could have a proven Xfinity rider on their team.

Additionally, Harrison Burton carries the Burton legacy with a unique twist. Jeff Burton, a cornerstone of the Burton family, is celebrated as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. His father’s impressive career includes 21 Cup Series wins, 6 poles, and 27 victories in the Xfinity Series. All the more reason for AM Racing to invest in Burton.

He not only has won but also has a multi-million dollar sponsor in the name of DEX Imaging; United States’ largest independent office equipment dealer. Talking a sarcastic jibe on AM Racing as they continue to struggle with sponsorships, a fan wrote, “Yep since they needed sponsorship from DEX Imaging.”

Overall, AM Racing is in desperate need of a good driver for the #15, as it has suffered enough in the last few races. Harrison Burton can be the comeback they are looking for. What do you think about Burton’s chances of re-entering Xfinity amid his below-average Cup season? Let us know in the comments below.