Harrison Burton Rockets to First-Ever Xfinity Pole at Martinsville

There’s something poetic about Harrison Burton earning his first NASCAR Xfinity Series pole at Martinsville Speedway. The track where he won back in 2020, claiming one of those iconic grandfather clocks, welcomed him back to the front of the field on Saturday. And it came on the same day Sam Hunt Racing announced Burton would pilot a second car for the organization full-time in 2026. Talk about perfect timing.

Burton put down a blistering lap that secured him the top starting spot for Saturday night’s race, edging out playoff contender Carson Kvapil, who’ll roll off second. For a driver who’s had his share of ups and downs this season, this pole feels like vindication. It’s a reminder that when Burton gets everything clicking, he’s got the speed to compete with anybody.

Burton’s Big Day Gets Even Bigger

Let’s be real. Harrison Burton needed this. After a tough Cup Series stint that ended with him leaving Wood Brothers Racing, the 24-year-old has been searching for the right opportunity to prove he still belongs in NASCAR’s top echelons. Now, with Sam Hunt Racing building a second team around him and Toyota Racing Development backing the effort, Burton’s got the platform to do exactly that.

The pole came at the perfect moment. With AM Racing set to part ways with Burton at season’s end, Saturday’s qualifying run was a statement. It showed potential sponsors, future teammates, and the entire garage that he’s still got it. The kid can drive, and when you give him good equipment, he’ll make the most of it.

Standing on pit road after qualifying, you could see the relief mixed with determination on Burton’s face. He knows what’s at stake. AM Racing deserves a strong finish to their partnership, and Burton’s got the chance to deliver something special tonight.

What This Pole Means for Tonight’s Race

Starting up front at Martinsville is absolutely critical, especially with the chaos that typically unfolds at this half-mile bullring. Burton won’t have to navigate through traffic in those opening laps, which means he can set his own pace and avoid the inevitable carnage that happens when 38 cars try to squeeze through tight corners.

But here’s the thing. You can’t just show up with pole speed at Martinsville. You need a car that can handle 500 laps of abuse, maintain tire wear, and stay fast when everyone else is fighting for every inch of asphalt. Burton’s got the starting position locked down. Now comes the hard part.

The field behind him is loaded with hungry drivers. Playoff contenders like Kvapil, Jesse Love, and Sammy Smith are all fighting for their championship lives. Then you’ve got veterans like Aric Almirola, who’s racing for the Owners’ Championship in the No. 19 car and happens to be absolutely lethal at Martinsville. Almirola’s not worried about points or playoff pressure—he’s here to win for Joe Gibbs Racing, and that makes him extremely dangerous.

The Playoff Picture Adds Another Layer

While Burton’s not in the playoff hunt this year, he’s surrounded by drivers who are hanging on by their fingernails. Love sits 40 points above the cutline, relatively comfortable but not safe. Kvapil’s got an 11-point cushion. Below the cut, you’ve got Smith, Brandon Jones, Sam Mayer, and Sheldon Creed all desperate for a miracle.

That desperation creates opportunity and danger in equal measure. Drivers in must-win situations tend to make bold moves—sometimes brilliant, sometimes catastrophic. Burton needs to be smart about positioning himself around these guys. One wrong place at the wrong time could wreck his night before he even has a chance to contend for the win.

Connor Zilisch, who’s already locked into the Championship 4 at Phoenix, had a rough day in practice. He took damage to his car and will start from the rear. That’s one less immediate threat for Burton early on, but you can bet Zilisch will be charging through the field like a man possessed. He’s got nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Toyota Power and Sam Hunt Racing’s Future

Burton’s return to Toyota is significant. He cut his teeth as a TRD driver, finding most of his early success before transitioning to Ford with Wood Brothers Racing. Coming back to the manufacturer that helped develop him makes sense, and Toyota’s clearly invested in his future.

Sam Hunt Racing is still growing as an organization. They’re not Joe Gibbs Racing or JR Motorsports yet, but they’ve shown flashes of brilliance. Adding Burton to the lineup alongside Dean Thompson creates an interesting dynamic. On paper, Burton should be the lead driver, as he has Cup experience and Xfinity wins under his belt. But Thompson’s been with the organization longer and has built relationships with the crew chiefs and engineers.

How that partnership develops will define whether Sam Hunt Racing takes the next step as a competitive Xfinity program. If Burton can come in and immediately elevate the entire organization with his knowledge and racecraft, both drivers benefit. If there’s tension or competition for resources, things could get messy quickly.

One Last Chance for AM Racing

Let’s not forget what tonight means for AM Racing. This small, scrappy organization took a chance on Burton when his Cup career hit a rough patch. They gave him a ride when he needed one most, and he’s given them some solid runs throughout the season. But they haven’t visited Victory Lane together. A win tonight would be the perfect way to close this chapter. It would give AM Racing its first-ever Xfinity Series victory and send Burton off to his new ride on the highest possible note.

The pole position puts them in the best spot they’ve been in all year to make it happen. Burton owes it to the team—all those crew members who’ve worked overtime, the engineers who’ve pored over data trying to find speed, the pit crew that’s executed under pressure. They all deserve to celebrate together before going their separate ways. Tonight’s their shot.

Can Burton Convert the Pole into a Win?

That’s the million-dollar question. We’ve seen it happen before at Martinsville. Burton wheeled his way to Victory Lane in 2020, proving he knows how to get it done when the pressure’s on. But that was four years ago, a different team, different circumstances. This version of Harrison Burton feels hungrier, more determined. He’s had to fight for every opportunity, prove himself again and again. The pole today wasn’t handed to him.

He went out and earned it with a perfect lap when it mattered most. If he can carry that momentum into tonight’s race, if the car stays fast and the strategy works out, there’s no reason Burton can’t park it in Victory Lane. Martinsville has been good to him before. Maybe it’s about to be good to him again.

Ahead of The Green Flag

The green flag drops at 7:30 PM ET on The CW. Harrison Burton will lead them to green, starting from a position he’s never been in before in the Xfinity Series. What he does with that opportunity could define the rest of his career.