William Byron Ends Hendrick Drought, Wins Daytona 500 Under Caution
In a thrilling and emotional finish, William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports emerged victorious in the 2024 Daytona 500, ending the team’s nine-race losing streak in “The Great American Race.” Byron’s win came after completing an agonizing final lap under caution, unsure if he had secured the victory. The moment of truth came when crew chief Rudy Fugle’s tearful voice confirmed Byron’s triumph over the radio.
Byron’s victory marked a significant milestone for Hendrick Motorsports as they celebrated their 40th anniversary season. The team’s last Daytona 500 win was in 2014 with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Now, Byron, a 26-year-old self-taught racer from Charlotte, North Carolina, joins the ranks of the six different drivers who have won the prestigious race for Rick Hendrick, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Hendrick expressed his disbelief and joy in Victory Lane. “The first time we came here, we didn’t think we had any business even being here,” he said. “We felt way out of our league. Now here we are 40 years later. You couldn’t write the script any better. To win this on the 40th, to the day, it’s just awesome.”
With their ninth Daytona 500 win, Hendrick Motorsports tied Petty Enterprises for the most victories in NASCAR history. Jeff Gordon, Hendrick vice chairman and a three-time Daytona 500 winner himself, praised Byron’s performance, stating that he had reached superstar status with this win. “I wasn’t driving the car, but I felt like I was making every lap out there with him,” Gordon said. “We’re going to celebrate. This is a huge win.”
Byron’s journey to victory was not without its challenges. Despite being a self-taught racer who honed his skills using computer equipment, he had never finished higher than 21st in the Daytona 500. However, his determination and talent propelled him to the championship last season, where he won a career-high six races. Unfortunately, he lost the title to Ryan Blaney, the older brother of Byron’s longtime girlfriend.
The final moments of the race were filled with suspense and chaos. The fourth and final caution came when Byron’s teammate, Alex Bowman, hit him from behind, triggering a massive 23-car crash. As Byron crossed under the white flag marking the final lap, chaos erupted behind him. Uncertain if he was the official winner, Byron circled Daytona International Speedway one last time under caution.
Byron’s victory was a 1-2 sweep for Hendrick Motorsports, with teammate Bowman finishing in second place. Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing secured third place, followed by Corey Lajoie of Spire Motorsports and AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing.
The race, originally scheduled for Sunday, was delayed due to persistent rain throughout the weekend. NASCAR made the decision to postpone the race to Monday, rearranging the schedule to prioritize the Xfinity Series race. Despite the rain delay and lack of a prerace concert, the presence of grand marshal Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson added excitement to the event.
NASCAR’s flexibility in rescheduling races to avoid inclement weather has been commendable this month. The decision to postpone the Cup race a day in advance prevented fans from enduring rain-soaked grandstands. However, amidst the excitement of the Daytona 500, teams revealed that they had hired top antitrust and sports lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to advise them in their ongoing dispute with NASCAR over a new revenue-sharing model.
Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the race, William Byron’s victory in the Daytona 500 will be remembered as a historic moment for Hendrick Motorsports. As the team celebrates its 40th anniversary, Byron’s triumph serves as a testament to the team’s resilience, determination, and unwavering pursuit of victory.
