Harrison Burton is making a Cup Series comeback for a special event. He will join Rick Ware Racing to compete in this weekend's All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
According to a press release from the NASCAR team, Burton will drive the No. 51 Ford Mustang with Morton Buildings as his primary sponsor. Burton previously qualified for the All-Star Race by winning the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway last season.
Cody Ware, the normal driver of the No. 51, will move to the No. 15. He will try to qualify for the All-Star Race while competing in the All-Star Open on Sunday evening.
Photo credit: Rick Ware Racing
"The All-Star Race is one of those events you grow up dreaming about, so to have a spot on the grid is really special," Burton said in a statement.
"Winning at Daytona last year was a huge moment in my career, and I'm thankful to Rick (Ware) and the entire RWR team for giving me the opportunity to make that win count by putting me in their car for the All-Star Race. We've been building some great momentum in the Xfinity Series, and I'm looking forward to carrying that into North Wilkesboro and competing against the best in the sport."
Burton made himself eligible to compete in the All-Star Race with a timely performance at Daytona. He lined up on the front row next to Kyle Busch after Josh Berry flipped and sent the race to overtime.
Burton initially maintained pace with Busch, but he lagged back as the field headed onto the frontstretch to take the white flag. It appeared that Busch would score the win and lock himself into the playoffs, but Parker Retzlaff gave Burton a huge push that put him out front.
Burton cleared Busch and then dropped down in front of him coming out of Turn 4. He then threw multiple blocks and held off the two-time Cup champion coming to the start-finish line. This marked his first win at NASCAR's top level, as well as Wood Brothers Racing's 100th win.
Burton lost his seat at the historic organization after the season ended, and he headed back to the Xfinity Series to join AM Racing. He will now return to Cup for one weekend while putting Rick Ware Racing into the All-Star Race for the first time.
"Being a part of the NASCAR All-Star Race for the first time is a milestone moment for our organization," Ware said. "It's an honor to have a place in the main event, and we're just as proud to provide Harrison the opportunity to compete in the All-Star Race.
"He definitely earned his spot, and he deserves to be here. It's a big opportunity for both of us."