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NASCAR Driver Harrison Burton Is Part Of A Family Sports Legacy — Who Is His Father Jeff Burton?
As seen on "Race For The Championship," Harrison Burton's father, Jeff Burton, well-known in the NASCAR world.
There's a lot of pressure to make a name for yourself in any sport — but it seems like there's even more pressure when you're the child of a legend in that field.
That's the case for several NASCAR drivers today, as motorsports tends to draw in family members. On a recent episode of "Race For The Championship," one young driver, Harrison Burton, is seen grappling with what it means to compete with his father's legacy, especially as his dad supports him and coaches him.
So, who is Harrison's father Jeff Burton, and what did he accomplish in the sport?
Jeff, like most drivers, got his start in motorsports after he became involved in go-kart racing as a kid before making the move to stock cars and then, in 1988, into NASCAR. He started competing in the Cup Series in 1993, and just one year later was named "Rookie Of The Year," according to the NASCAR Hall Of Fame. During his time in NASCAR, he raced with Stavola Brothers Racing, Rousch Racing, and Richard Childlress Racing, racking up 21 victories in the Cup Series. Most significantly, he won two Coca-Cola 600s in 1999 and 2001, as well as the 1999 Southern 500.
By the time Jeff retired in 2014, his 21 Cup wins and 27 Xfinity Series wins made him one of only 10 drivers to have at least 20 wins in each series, according to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Jeff isn't just known for his impressive list of victories. He is also famous amongst the community for speaking out about safety issues in NASCAR, advocating for the well-being of people involved in the sport. In fact, Jeff's interest in working on safety measures even earned him the nickname "The Mayor" from fans, per NBC Sports.
These days, Jeff is still involved in NASCAR, working as a commentator for NBC Sports. Of course, he's cheering on his son Harrison as he competes in the 2022 Cup Series. Jeff and Harrison aren't the only Burtons involved in the sport either — Jeff's brother Ward Burton and nephew Jeb Burton also compete in NASCAR.
Can't get enough NASCAR action? Watch “Race For The Championship,” which follows the lives of NASCAR's biggest stars on and off the track, Thursdays at 10/9c on USA Network. And catch up on all race action on Peacock.
