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Harrison Burton: Truck debut with KBM a "huge opportunity"

Harrison Burton is going to have all the tools available to make his NASCAR national series debut this weekend a memorable one.

Harrison Burton, Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota

Harrison Burton, Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota

Kyle Busch Motorsports

Harrison Burton
Harrison Burton, Toyota
Harrison Burton
Harrison Burton
Harrison Burton, Toyota

Burton, the 16-year-old son of NASCAR veteran and NBC TV analyst Jeff Burton, will make his debut in the Camping World Truck Series in Saturday’s Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

The younger Burton will be driving the No. 18 Toyota of Kyle Busch Motorsports – the same truck team owner Kyle Busch used to finish second in the May Truck race at Charlotte. Burton’s crew chief will be Wes Ward, who served in the same position for Busch when he won the spring Truck race at Martinsville this season.

“This is a huge opportunity with a great team like Kyle Busch Motorsports,” said Burton, who recently signed on with KHI Management. “I’ve raced in a lot of big races during my young career and I will look to that experience to help me make this transition.

“Obviously, everyone wants to go out and win, but I think if I can have a good qualifying result, have good restarts and keep the fenders on my Tundra through the whole race, I can be in good position with 20 to go and then anything can happen.

“My focus is learning the truck, the track and the guys I am racing with and then applying that as the race comes to the finish.”

Burton's brief, but impressive career

Burton, who just completed his first full season in the K&N Pro Series East, was named to this year’s 11-member NASCAR Next class, an industry-wide initiative designed to spotlight the best and brightest rising young stars in racing.

In his relatively brief racing career, Burton has already set several milestones. He finished third in his ARCA debut earlier this season at age 15; he is the youngest winner in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series history; and won his first pole at age 11 in Late Models.

Ward said it is “tough” for any driver making their national series debut at Martinsville but he feels Burton will do well.

“I want to see Harrison run every lap, try to keep his nose clean and learn,” Ward said. “I think he’s talented enough to get through it and we’re excited about racing with him this weekend.”

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