While Harrison Burton crossed the finish line at Daytona, creating one of the biggest upsets in the series in some time, another story was nearly unfolded, one involving another hopeful young driver. Had it happened, it would have been an even bigger upset and instantly made the driver a household name. Instead, he finds himself answering for his actions and defending the moves he made at the end of Saturday’s race.
Parker Retzlaff, 21, was making his second start in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona that weekend with Beard Motorsports — a Chevrolet team that formed a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Remember that, as it will become important in a minute.
Parker Retzlaff, Beard Motorsports, Funkaway Chevrolet Camaro
Photo by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images
The Xfinity Series regular had made his debut at Richmond just a few weeks earlier, in order to prepare for racing at Daytona, running 402 of 408 laps without incident. On race day at Daytona, Retzlaff did a masterful job avoiding the chaos throughout the race, keeping his No. 62 Chevrolet fairly clean. On the final overtime restart, he lined up on the outside of the second row, directly behind Burton. Kyle Busch led the race for RCR with the Toyota of Christopher Bell behind, hoping to win his way into the playoffs.
Team owner Richard Childress could be heard on the radio just before the final restart: “Find that No. 62 [Retzlaff] spotter. Talk to him … If he can push us, push.”
Watch: Harrison Burton claims win No. 100 for Wood Brothers Racing
Reztlaff never got the chance to push his fellow Chevrolet because they remained in opposing lines on track. The field was locked together and there was no option other than to push the car directly ahead. For Retzlaff, that was the Ford of Harrison Burton. On the final lap, he gave Burton the mightiest of shoves and both cars nearly cleared Busch entering Turn 3. Had he done so, he may have gone on to win the race, but only Burton got ahead. The No. 21 moved down to block Busch’s advance while Retzlaff was swallowed up by the pack, winning the race for the Wood Brothers and putting another Ford into the playoffs.
Retzlaff facing consequences?
Retzlaff only tried to win, and yet, that has landed him in some hot water. While it’s unclear if he will face consequences behind closed doors, there has been public criticism from sections of the fanbase. What did he do so wrong? Driving a…
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