William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, secured a monumental victory at the Nascar Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 19. This triumph marked Byron's 11th win in his burgeoning Cup Series career and was a significant milestone for Hendrick Motorsports, celebrating its 40th season. The Chevrolet-backed team now boasts nine Daytona 500 victories, previously claimed by esteemed drivers such as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Geoff Bodine, Darrell Waltrip, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Byron's win was a thrilling one, as he fended off teammate Alex Bowman in a nail-biting finish that required Nascar to review the last scoring loop and utilize photos to determine the winner. The victory was made even more special as it coincided with the 40th anniversary of the team's debut with Geoff Bodine behind the wheel. The race itself was postponed to Monday due to adverse weather conditions, adding a touch of serendipity to Byron's win.
Reflecting on his victory, Byron expressed gratitude towards team owner Mr. Hendrick for believing in him and providing unwavering support throughout his career. The win also marked the first Daytona 500 victory for the iconic No. 24 car since Jeff Gordon's final triumph in 2005.
With this victory, Byron has virtually secured a spot in the Nascar Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. He and crew chief Rudy Fugle are optimistic about their championship prospects this year, building on the momentum from last season where Byron clinched a career-high six wins.
Byron credits much of his success to the mentorship of Jeff Gordon, HMS' vice chairman, whose guidance and support have been instrumental in his development as a driver. Looking ahead, Byron is focused on maintaining his winning streak as he gears up for the upcoming restrictor plate race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday.
