HUNTERSVILLE, N.C – Joe Gibbs Racing announced Monday afternoon that Harrison Burton will drive the No. 18 Dex Toyota Supra in eight NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season.
The 19-year-old, who currently drives full time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 6.
Burton is also scheduled to compete at Iowa Speedway on June 16, New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 20, Richmond Int’l Raceway on Sept. 20, the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on Sept. 28, Dover Int’l Speedway on Oct. 5, Kansas Speedway on Oct. 19, and Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 2.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to make my Xfinity Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Harrison Burton. “Dex has been so supportive of me from the very beginning, and I’m honored that they will be on board with me as I start this new chapter. I am so pumped to be going to a team that has had so many accomplishments, and great drivers to look up to as I continue to grow in my racing career.
“I am really grateful for this opportunity,” Burton added. “When you look at the guys who have raced for Joe Gibbs Racing on the Xfinity side and you see the big names that are in Cup now for them, and the ability that they seem to have … it’s cool now to be a part of that. I’ve looked at guys like Erik Jones and thought that could be me, and now I have the chance to be a part of that group. It’s going to be cool and I hope to win along the way.”
Burton has earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes in five Truck Series starts so far this season. He has 20 career starts in the Truck Series, with five career top-five and nine top-10 finishes.
Burton has also made 33 career starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, including an impressive 2017 season in which he earned five wins and 12 top-five finishes in 14 races en route to the series championship.
“Harrison continues to impress at each level of his racing career,” said Steve DeSouza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development for Joe Gibbs Racing. “Ben (Beshore, Crew Chief) has the No. 18 team off to strong start this season and we believe Harrison will continue that momentum for us starting at Bristol.”