Chase Elliott Jumps To Harrison Burton's Defense After Critics Question

Harrison Burton, who started the race ranked 34th in points standings—the lowest among all full-time drivers—claimed his first Cup Series victory in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.

This surprising win not only marked a personal milestone for Burton but also represented the prestigious 100th win for the Wood Brothers Racing team.

Given the recent changes to NASCAR’s playoff qualification rules, Burton’s victory secured him a spot in the playoffs, a development that has stirred up considerable debate within the racing community.

The 2024 NASCAR season saw the elimination of the top 30 points requirement for playoff eligibility, setting the stage for unexpected competitors like Burton to leap into playoff contention upon winning a race.

This adjustment played a crucial role in the outcome at Daytona, allowing Burton to advance despite his prior standings.

The racing world reacted strongly to Burton’s surprise qualification, with voices of doubt clashing against the support. Chase Elliott has staunchly supported Burton’s playoff spot. He explained to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports:

Man, that’s tough. I probably have a lot of opinions on that stuff, but I totally let them [NASCAR] make that call. As it pertains to last weekend, look — Harrison did a good job.

“I know all those guys really well from dad’s [Bill Elliott] time racing with them from me being a kid and I was just super happy for them to win and to get their 100th win — I think it’s an incredible milestone.

“I just wanna say that. Really am happy for all parties involved. Jeff Burton’s a good friend of mine and I enjoy watching Harrison too. So, really just happy for them.