
Harrison Burton Opens Up On WBR Relationship After NASCAR Cup Series Exit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
NASCAR driver Harrison Burton has spoken about his relationship with Wood Brothers Racing following his exit from the team at the end of the 2024 season, insisting that he still has a strong connection with the team.
The team announced in July 2024 that the 24-year-old driver would be replaced by Josh Berry in 2025, despite later clinching his first career Cup Series win at the Daytona summer race.
As a result, Burton now competes full-time in the Xfinity Series with AM Racing, driving the No. 25 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
Speaking about his relationship with Wood Brothers Racing following his exit, Burton explained on SpeedFreaks:
"That's something that I think is one of my biggest strengths.
Harrison Burton, driver of the #25 Dead On Tools/DEX Imaging Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina.
Harrison Burton, driver of the #25 Dead On Tools/DEX Imaging Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina."I was so lucky to have a great relationship with everyone at the Wood Brothers that there was no bad feeling. They truly care about me.
"I mean they still send me stuff — it's their 75th season — or Leonard Wood built me [a radio-controlled] car, as well. I just have a great relationship with that group, so it made it a way less bitter taste in my mouth."
Effectively stepping down from the Cup to the Xfinity Series, Burton is using the opportunity to come back to the top series stronger. He added:
"It was really to me about self-reflection and what I can do to be better, and I feel I'm doing those things to be better and it's starting to show in the AM Racing team.
"We're turning that program around which I'm super excited about. We've got the right people over there. Obviously, for me, it's all been about moving forward and what's next.
"That's been the biggest weapon of mine and I've raced the best drivers in the world for the past three years, so I've learned a lot and I feel I can take that with me to the future and hopefully when I get back to the Cup Series, I'll be ready to go again and understand and fire off with some pace."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
How to Watch Dvalishvili vs O'Malley 2: Live Stream UFC 316, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The much-anticipated rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley is here as UFC 316 is set to take place on Saturday from the Prudential Center, and you can catch all the action with ESPN+. Sean O'Malley celebrates after defeating Aljamain Sterling during their Bantamweight title fight at UFC 292 at TD Garden on August 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. Sean O'Malley celebrates after defeating Aljamain Sterling during their Bantamweight title fight at UFC 292 at TD Garden on August 19, 2023 in Boston, to Watch UFC 316 Dvalishvili vs O'Malley 2: Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 Time: 10:00 PM ET Stream: ESPN+ (WATCH NOW) "Suga" Sean O'Malley was riding a six-fight winning streak and had not lost a UFC bout since 2020 against Marlon Vera, before finally falling to Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision the last time these two faced off in the octagon. O'Malley will look to get his revenge this time around and claim the Bantamweight title belt. O'Malley has held the Bantamweight belt before, but it will not be an easy task taking it back from Dvalishvili, who comes in as the clear favorite. The fight card features a number of other fantastic matches, including the Women's Bantamweight title fight between Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison. The other fights on the main card are Kelvin Gastelum versus Joe Pyfer, Mario Bautista versus Patchy Mix, and Vicente Luque versus Kevin Holland. This is a great UFC fight card that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action. Live stream UFC 316 with ESPN+: Start your subscription now! UFC 316 - Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2 UFC 316 - Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2 ESPN+ The main event can be purchased for live streaming nationally via pay-per-view with a subscription to ESPN+. Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.


Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
How to Watch 157th Belmont Stakes: Live Stream Horse Racing, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The 157th Belmont Stakes is set for Saturday, June 7, as the final leg of the Triple Crown unfolds at Saratoga Race Course for the second consecutive year. Justify #1, ridden by jockey Mike Smith crosses the finish line to win the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9, 2018 in Elmont, New York. Justify becomes the thirteenth... Justify #1, ridden by jockey Mike Smith crosses the finish line to win the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9, 2018 in Elmont, New York. Justify becomes the thirteenth Triple Crown winner and the first since American Pharoah in 2015. More) How to Watch the 157th Belmont Stakes When: Saturday, June 7, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM ET TV Channel: FOX Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free) With Belmont Park still under renovation, Saratoga Springs steps in again to host the event known as "The Test of the Champion." This year's Belmont won't crown a Triple Crown champion, but the stakes remain sky-high. Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Preakness victor Journalism each have a chance to join an elite group of horses who have captured two out of the three Triple Crown races—a feat achieved by just 45 horses in history. Their anticipated rematch is the headline storyline, with Journalism entering as the favorite, closely followed by Sovereignty. Baeza, who finished a strong third in the Derby and skipped the Preakness for extra rest, is generating buzz as a potential upset candidate, while Rodriguez, trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, will be in the hunt after missing the Derby due to injury but returning with impressive credentials. The field is rounded out by Hill Road, Crudo, Uncaged, and Heart of Honor. Live stream 157th Belmont Stakes on Fubo: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.


Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Riley Gaines and Simone Biles Beef Online Amid Trans Athlete Debate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and former collegiate swimmer and conservative activist Riley Gaines have exchanged barbs on social media amid a debate over transgender athletes in sports. Newsweek reached out to press representatives for Biles and Gaines via email on Saturday. Why It Matters A national debate about transgender athletes escalated during the 2024 presidential election cycle, as President Donald Trump pledged to minimize transgender athletes' participation in sports that don't match their biological sex. One of his first executive orders mandated that the government only recognize the existence of two sexes—male and female—which he said are "not changeable." Biles, 28, is the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history, with 11 medals, including seven gold. She has also earned dozens of world championship medals and complex gymnastic moves have been named after her. She is a prominent voice in both sports and mental health. Gaines, 25, a former collegiate swimmer for the University of Kentucky, has been outspoken in her opposition to transgender policies in sports and is the host of the Gaines for Girls podcast. What To Know On Friday, Riley Gaines reposted a message from the Minnesota State High School League on X, formerly Twitter, of the Champlin Park High School's championship win, writing "comments off lol. To be expected when your star player is a boy." Her comment follows reports that Marissa Rothenberger, a 17-year-old member of the team, is transgender. Newsweek has reached out to the school for comment via email on Saturday. Biles reshared Gaines' post, calling her "truly sick." @Riley_Gaines_ You're truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender... — Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025 The post continued: "all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead... You bully them... One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!" In 2022, Gaines tied for fifth place in a competition with swimmer Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete during a collegiate competition. In another post Biles said to Gaines "bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male." Gaines wrote in response: "This is actually so disappointing. It's not my job or the job of any woman to figure out how to include men in our spaces. You can uplift men stealing championships in women's sports with YOUR platform. Men don't belong in women's sports and I say that with my full chest." (L): Simone Biles, of the United States, holds up her medals after the women's artistic gymnastics individual apparatus finals Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (R):Former collegiate... (L): Simone Biles, of the United States, holds up her medals after the women's artistic gymnastics individual apparatus finals Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (R):Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines stands following a news conference after the House passed a measure that would ban transgender women and girls from school sports programs aimed at female students on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Washington. More AP Photo/Charlie Riedel/Mark Schiefelbein In a separate post she added, "My take is the least controversial take on the planet. Simone Biles being a male-apologist at the expense of young girls' dreams? Didn't have that on my bingo card. Maybe she could compete in pommel horse and rings in 2028." In a third post, Gaines wrote, "And the subtle hint at "body-shaming" ???? Plzzzz I'm 5'5." Early into Saturday, Gaines began posting about Biles and the sexual abuse of former Team USA doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison in 2017 over child pornography charges, and in 2018 plead guilty to criminal sexual conduct in Michigan. Gaines shared a clip of Biles testifying about Nassar's actions next to her X post to Gaines, with the caption: "Simone Biles when she had to endure a predatory man Vs Simone Biles when other girls have to endure predatory men." Gaines has continued to share various generated images jabbing at Biles. What People Are Saying Alex Cole, an influencer on X with over 300,000 followers, wrote on X: "Simone Biles has 11 Olympic medals. Riley Gaines has 11 Fox News appearances complaining about people who actually win medals." Payton McNabb, former high school volleyball player and sports ambassador at Independent Women, told Newsweek in an email Saturday: "Female athletes train hard, sacrifice, and compete with heart. They deserve a level playing field, not a rigged system that favors male strength and biology." Brandon Wolf, press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, said in an X post: "Simone Biles is the GOAT. Riley Gaines is the poster child for turning failure into grift. And that's that on that." President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post earlier this week: "A Biological Male competed in California Girls State Finals, WINNING BIG, despite the fact that they were warned by me not to do so. As Governor Gavin Newscum fully understands, large scale fines will be imposed!!!" White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told Newsweek on Tuesday: "President Trump is protecting women in sports and restoring common sense. Those who choose to violate federal law will be held accountable." What Happens Next The Trump administration has launched multiple investigations into whether sports governing bodies and educational institutions have violated federal antidiscrimination laws, particularly under Title IX.