Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Have High Hopes for the Clash
Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are optimistic heading into this weekend’s Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and with good reason.
For starters, they had a good run in the first Clash, which takes place on a temporary course inside the famous stadium. The team is also encouraged by the way it ended last year’s Cup Series season with a host of strong finishes. To top it off, Burton just won an IMSA sports car race at the Daytona International Speedway road course.
“Last year’s Clash was a big event for the industry and for the No. 21 Ford,” said crew chief Brian Wilson, who, like Burton, is entering his second season in the elite division of NASCAR. “Moving into the main event was a huge accomplishment for our young team.”
“We’re looking to build on that and build on the momentum we had to finish 2022.”
Wilson said the entire Motorcraft/Quick Lane organization was encouraged by the late-season improvement, which was supported by racing stats.
“At the end of the season, everyone was excited about our progress in terms of competitiveness,” he said. “In three of the last four races we qualified in the top 10. It was a great sign that our hard work was paying off.
Once the last checkered flag of 2022 flew, Wilson and the team took a deeper look at their season and liked what they saw.
“After the first four races in 2022, our finish average was 29th,” he said. “In the last four races he was 19th.
“It’s a big step forward in a highly competitive field. You could also see progress when looking at our quarter-by-quarter stats.
“At the end of the year, everyone could feel the change in performance, but it’s always good to see the numbers backing it up.”
Wilson added that Burton’s victory last week at Daytona, where he teamed up with fellow Ford driver Zane Smith to win the Michelin Pilot Challenge event. Burton took the checkered flag on veteran sports car racer Spencer Pumpelly, making him and Smith the first NASCAR regulars to claim victory in this race.
“Harrison’s win in his Mustang was another confidence boost,” Wilson said. “The Wood Brothers team is excited to get to the track and continue to improve where we ended 2022.”
Practice for the Busch Light Clash will take place Saturday from 3-5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (6-8 p.m. EST), followed by single-seater qualifying. Both will air on FOX Sports 1.
Sunday’s schedule begins at 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EST) with four 25-lap elimination races followed by two 50-lap last-chance races.
The 150-lap main event begins at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. EST), with Sunday’s coverage on FOX.
PR WBR