Posted by Wayne G. Barber
My friend, Ward Burton just called and said it's a done deal. Jeb got a 33 race seat in the 2021 Xfinity Series, NASCAR'S second highest division. My daughter Kimberly is a big family Burton race fan and should put a smile on her face. Jeb's uncle Jeff Burton is retired and now a broadcaster.
The second-generation racer, and son of 2002 Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton, had been negotiating with Kaulig Racing and sponsor Nutrien Ag Solutions but wasn’t entirely sure if they were going to make it happen in time for the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity season.
Burton has suffered numerous setbacks or near misses in recent years, coming close to several wins in partial seasons with JR Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing, but coming up short in all kinds of heartbreaking manners.
So naturally, when Kaulig Racing president Chris Rice, who is arguably the most optimistic person in the world, told Burton he wasn’t entirely optimistic about their progress, Burton believed it.
"Chris is a really positive guy," Burton said later. "So, when he was down, I was like, man, this is this isn't a good situation."
The truth was that Rice and team owner Matt Kaulig agreed to a full season agreement and invited Burton to a meeting at the Kaulig Racing shop in the hopes of convincing Nutrien Ag Solutions to a deal that had already been consummated.
The plan was to surprise Burton and it worked to amazing effect.
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