Ahead of the highly anticipated first playoff race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared his perspective on the risks Chase Briscoe and Harrison Burton might take. As the playoff picture begins to form, the two-time Daytona 500 champion believes that while the playoff frontrunners are likely to adopt a more conservative approach, Briscoe and Burton could benefit by taking more aggressive risks. Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that, in a race where the top-tier drivers might be more cautious, these two drivers have an opportunity to push their limits and capitalize on the diminished competition from their rivals.
During the recent 25th Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway, Harrison Burton etched his name into the record books with his first career Cup Series victory. Burton’s win came in dramatic fashion as a last-lap push from Parker Retzlaff propelled his #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford to the checkered flag. The victory not only solidified Burton’s status but also dashed Kyle Busch’s hopes of securing a playoff spot, as Busch lost the lead on the final lap, narrowly missing his chance to punch his playoff ticket.
Looking ahead, the final race of the regular season at Darlington Raceway saw Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe clinch his playoff berth. Once again, Kyle Busch was left disappointed, securing his second consecutive runner-up finish and falling short of making it into the Round of 16. With Briscoe now in the playoff mix, all eyes are on how he and Burton will fare in the upcoming playoff battles.
As the NASCAR playoffs begin, Dale Earnhardt Jr. offered his insight into how Briscoe and Burton might approach the first playoff race at Atlanta. In a conversation via Dirty Mo Media on X, Earnhardt Jr. discussed the unique opportunity facing the two drivers. “I think they head to Atlanta thinking, ‘We’ve got to win this,’” Earnhardt Jr. stated. “Briscoe and Burton might take this chance to really throw caution to the wind in just this one race and become bold risk-takers.”
Earnhardt Jr. further explained how the playoff leaders, who are securely positioned, might adopt a more cautious mindset for the race at Atlanta, which could work in Briscoe and Burton’s favor. “The guys who are in the top half, from Brad Keselowski to Kyle Larson, will likely look at Atlanta as a race where they just want to avoid mistakes,” Earnhardt Jr. explained. “They’re thinking, ‘Let’s not crash, let’s not take unnecessary risks, let’s just play it safe.’ That’s the mentality of the top playoff contenders.”
This cautious approach from the leaders could open the door for drivers like Briscoe and Burton, who are in a more precarious position and need to make bold moves to advance. The thrilling 400-mile playoff race is scheduled for Sunday, September 8, at 3:00 PM ET, and fans are eagerly awaiting the intense battle that’s sure to unfold.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. also weighed in on the specific mindset that could help Harrison Burton advance further in the playoffs. Burton, now in his third full-time Cup Series season, is racing as a playoff contender for the first time. However, the young driver’s future with Wood Brothers Racing (WBR) is uncertain, as Josh Berry is set to replace him in 2025. With his career in a delicate position, Burton faces a tough challenge in keeping his playoff hopes alive, especially considering his relatively modest results this season, including just one top-5 and two top-10 finishes.
Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that a “mentality” shift could make all the difference for Burton as he navigates the playoff race at Atlanta. The 49-year-old racing veteran pointed out that while the top playoff drivers might play it safe at the 1.5-mile oval track, they are likely to push hard at other tracks where they feel more comfortable. This conservative approach at Atlanta, Earnhardt Jr. believes, could give Burton a crucial edge.
“They won’t be as cautious at Watkins Glen or the other tracks where they’re confident,” Earnhardt Jr. elaborated during his podcast. “They’ll go flat-out at those places because they know how to handle those races. But Atlanta is different—it’s like Talladega in that it’s a bit of a wildcard. The top drivers will probably be more careful there, and that’s where Burton has an opening to be more aggressive and seize the moment.”
For Burton, this race presents a chance to take advantage of the leaders’ conservative strategies. Earnhardt Jr. explained how this mindset could propel Burton into contention. “This is where Burton can say, ‘This is my moment because they’re going to be cautious, and I can take advantage of that.’ That’s the mentality he needs to adopt,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Don’t go in there trying to race toe-to-toe with them at other tracks—Atlanta is where you make your move.”
Harrison Burton’s path to the playoffs wasn’t initially in the cards. Entering the Daytona race with only one top-10 finish, the 23-year-old pulled off a major upset with his win, catapulting him up 20 places in the standings. Now ranked 14th, Burton finds himself with a shot at the next playoff round, but he’ll need to be strategic and aggressive to stay in the mix.
With the stakes at an all-time high, Earnhardt Jr.’s advice could prove to be invaluable for Burton. The race at Atlanta may be Burton’s best shot at making a mark in the playoffs, and if he can adopt the right mindset, as Earnhardt Jr. suggests, he just might pull off another surprise performance.
