NASCAR star Jeb Burton has claimed that the series' ongoing lawsuit with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports kept him from a race this month.
The Xfinity Series driver for Jordan Anderson Racing revealed on social media this weekend that he 'was supposed to' be racing in the Cup Series event at Talladega the day after his Xfinity race.
The 33-year-old claimed the deal to drive was signed, but the ongoing legal battle between NASCAR and two of its teams, who it has now removed charter status from, muddied the waters for his qualification chances.
Burton typically goes well at Talladega in the Xfinity Series, with both of his wins coming at the superspeedway and seven top ten finishes in 11 starts, including second at this year's spring race.
Burton: Talladega entry too risky for sponsors
“I was supposed to be in (the NASCAR Cup Series) race today,” Burton posted on the day of the Cup Series race. “Had it all signed and done, but this lawsuit situation made it very difficult for us to be able to go and make the race so we backed off. Hopefully next year!”
He explained during the following week: "This was because of running an open car we could miss the race. It’s more open cars now because of everything going on."
In response to another Twitter user questioning his reasoning, he added: "Can’t take a chance that 45 cars show up and you have to beat maybe 8 cars. Then your sponsor is in the hole for 1 lap."
Burton will be back in action this week as the Xfinity Series playoffs go from eight drivers to four at Martinsville.
