Harrison Burton will replace Matt DiBenedetto at Wood Brothers Racing in 2022 and drive the No. 21 car full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, the team announced Thursday.
Burton, the 20-year-old son of longtime NASCAR Cup driver and current NBC Sports analyst Jeff Burton, is in his second full Xfinity Series season with Joe Gibbs Racing. Burton won four times during the 2020 Xfinity season and earned Rookie of the Year honors. Through 18 races this season, he is winless but sits fifth in points with five top-five finishes.
A popular underdog, DiBenedetto joined Wood Brothers Racing in 2020, earning two runner-up finishes and a first-ever playoff berth for himself and the first for the Wood Brothers since 2017. But he currently sits 18th in points and needs a win in the last five races to make the playoffs.
In addition, Roger Penske confirms that Brad Keselowski is leaving the organization that he's been with since 2009. Sources confirmed to The Athletic that Keselowski has accepted Roush Fenway Racing’s offer to become a part-owner and driver in 2022, which was first reported by Motorsport.com and Fox Sports. He will be replaced in the No. 2 Ford by defending Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric, who Penske and Wood Brothers previously announced would take over the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford in 2022
Read Jordan Bianchi's full story in the Go Deeper section below.
GO DEEPER
Brad Keselowski reportedly will become driver/part-owner for Roush Fenway Racing: Reaction and analysis
GO DEEPER
Sources: Kurt Busch emerges as 23XI Racing's top candidate as it expands to a 2-car team for 2022
GO DEEPER
Harrison Burton to join Wood Brothers Racing in 2022, replacing Matt DiBenedetto; Brad Keselowski will not return to Penske
(Photo: Sean Gardner / Getty Images)
ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57k2tnbW9oZXxzfJFqZmlvX2aCcLrArJqaql2Zv6rCxKtkoZmip7a0u81mma6qpKS7bsDOZqGooZ5ixLC7w2aZq6eknbKzv4yrmJyhnpx6qrqMa2dral8%3D