Harrison Burton, the driver of the #51 DEX Imaging Toyota, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 27, 2017, in Martinsville, Virginia. Photo – Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Since announcing that Jeb Burton would race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway in the No. 20 for Young Motorsports, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion, Harrison Burton has looked forward to racing with his cousin for the first time.
Harrison is racing the No. 51 for Kyle Busch Motorsports this weekend at the famed short track. Both are second generation drivers having watched their dads, Ward and Jeff Burton race the NASCAR circuit, but throughout their own careers, they have never raced on track together until now.
“Yeah, we spent a lot of times as kids here watching both of our dads’ race,” says Burton. “It’s kind of weird coming full circle and having my cousin race. This is the first time that I’ve gotten to race against him, so should be a lot of fun. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m sure there’s going to be a little cousin rivalry going on. Should be a lot of fun to watch and fun – will be really fun to be a part of.”
A little cousin rivalry will likely create a spark for both drivers, but how will that translate on the track?
Jeb Burton, the driver of the #20 State Water Heaters/Ward Burton Wildlife Fund Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 27, 2017, in Martinsville, Virginia. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
“I think I’d be really pumped for Jeb if he got to win,” continues Burton. “He hasn’t been – you know he hasn’t had as many opportunities as I think he deserves in really fast trucks and cars, so to have Jeb win or have a Burton one-two would be so cool. But at the end of the day, we’re both here for ourselves, right? It’s kind of a selfish sport, so you got to be here for yourself, but I think if I had to choose one person to beat me, it’d probably be Jeb.”
For the eldest cousin, Jeb Burton, he’s proud of his cousin’s accomplishments and is also looking forward to their first on-track rivalry.
“It’s going to be a blast racing against Harrison,” says Jeb Burton. “I’m really proud of Harrison’s accomplishments this season. “He is going to be in a good truck this weekend and I’m hoping that we’ll have the opportunity to battle for a position throughout the race.
“At the end of the day though, may the best Burton win,” he chuckled.
Fans can watch the Camping World Truck Series race the Texas Roadhouse 200, on Saturday, October 28th at 1 pm ET on FOX Sports 1.