History is doing a little dance, and the Xfinity Series is its stage. Drivers are switching teams like the calendar flips months, and Sheldon Creed is a prime example. The 28-year-old playoff contender swapped Toyota for Ford after wrapping up 2024 with Joe Gibbs Racing, landing in the No. 00 car at Haas Factory Team. His teammate, Sam Mayer, saw big shifts this year, too, as he moved from JR Motorsports to HFT. And now it is time for the baton of switching teams to be passed on to a young Xfinity ace…

Harrison Burton, who is turning 24 this Thursday, after a rollercoaster year, is leaving fans with plenty to remember. The son of former Cup Series champion Jeff Burton jumped back into the Xfinity Series this season after three years racing with Wood Brothers in the Cup. Behind the wheel of the No. 25 Ford, Burton had 10 top tens, two top fives, and two stage wins, steering AM Racing into the playoffs for the first time. Sure, his championship dreams came to a halt at Charlotte ROVAL; he was one of the four drivers cut from the playoff, but the season was packed with moments to celebrate.

However, with NASCAR rumors in the air, one source has broken the news about Harrison’s next steps. Taking to X, one parody NASCAR account says that Harrison Burton is heading to Sam Hunt Racing for 2026, returning to Toyota after four seasons behind the wheel of Fords—first with Wood Brothers Racing in the Cup Series, then with AM Racing in Xfinity.

This may just be homecoming for the young ace. And let’s not forget Burton’s resume: in 104 career races, he’s racked up four wins, all in 2020 with Joe Gibbs Racing, finishing eighth in points that year and the next before heading to the Cup in 2022. His first and only win came last August at Daytona International Speedway, a victory that punched his ticket into the Cup playoffs.

Heading into Saturday’s race at Las Vegas, he sits 12th in the points, ready to show the world he is far from done. AM Racing dropped the news on social media on Wednesday: Burton won’t return for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts season.

Burton didn’t leave without a heartfelt sendoff, saying, “I want to thank AM Racing, Tim Self, and Wade Moore for the opportunity and trust at a pivotal moment in my career after I lost my Cup seat entering 2025. This season reminded me why I love competing; the teamwork, the focus, and the fight. I’m super excited about the next chapter and will announce my plans at a future date.” 

With Burton getting knocked off in the Round of 12 at Charlotte, where Connor Zilisch could flex his road-course mastery, earning his 10th win of the season, Burton has yet to confirm his next step. Harrison Burton’s story this season wasn’t just about stats; it was about heart, grit, and showing that even after a setback, a young driver can light up the track and make history.

And now, as Burton steps away from AM Racing, he gets more time with his newlywed wife, Jenna Petty. However, the show must go on, and the Xfinity field looks tighter than ever, heading into Las Vegas.

Las Vegas playoff showdown promises chaos and breakthroughs

Las Vegas Motor Speedway has earned a reputation for chaos and excitement with seven different winners in the last seven Xfinity Series races. That streak only adds to the feeling that this weekend, a fresh face or a savvy veteran could strike at just the right moment.

The playoff picture is right and historic. Connor Zilisch, the rising star, holds a record 57-point cushion above the cutoff. Meanwhile, the remaining seven playoff contenders are packed together, separated by just 35 points, with drivers third through eighth, from Brandon Jones to Sheldon Creed, all within 15 points of each other.

Since Las Vegas debuted as a playoff venue in 2020, the stakes have always been high. Any driver who wins the Round of 8 opener instantly punches their ticket to the Championship 4, while at least one spot is earned purely on points.

Looking at the teams, JR Motorsports leads the pack with four cars in the Round of 8, followed by Haas Factory with two and single entries from Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing. Despite all this, no driver in the Xfinity Series has ever won the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas and gone on to claim the overall title, a testament to just how unpredictable this track can be.

Of the eight playoff drivers, only Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer have previously reached the Championship 4, highlighting the enormous mistakes for both newcomers and seasoned veterans alike. As the Focused Health 302 rolls into action on Saturday at 7 pm ET, all eyes will be on the one who can master the madness and tame the track.