With the disappointment of Daytona behind them, Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane crew are hoping to rebound with a strong run in this weekend’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Since a repave and reconfiguration in 2021, Atlanta’s 1.54-mile quad-oval has become a drafting track much like Daytona and Talladega, the much larger superspeedways on the NASCAR circuit.
Jeremy Bullins, crew chief of the No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse, said the team’s speed at Daytona, especially in the Duel qualifying races where Burton contended for the win and wound up fifth in his race, make him optimistic headed into Atlanta.
“Obviously the way Daytona ended for us wasn’t the start to the season we were looking for,” Bullins said of the Lap 6 multi-car wreck that took Burton out of the 500. “We felt like we were really strong at the end of the Duels and had a shot to win and felt like we had a car that could carry that over to Sunday.
“Atlanta will be a similar style of racing, and we will be ready to bounce back.”
Bullins said the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team members need to put the early Daytona exit behind them, since it was due to circumstances not of their making.
“Like I told Harrison we controlled everything we could, and that’s all you can do,” Bullins said.
There will be no pre-race practice at Atlanta other than a 10-minute session after qualifying where drivers can work on pit entry.
Qualifying is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday.
Sunday’s 260-lap, 400-mile race is expected to get the green flag just after 3 p.m., with TV coverage on FOX.
Stage breaks are planned for Laps 60 and 160.
About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.
About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.”
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.
About Ford Performance
Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.
Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.
