After Securing a Darlington Win Despite Personal Tragedy, Hendrick Motorsports Prodigy Makes an Eye Opening Admission About Drivers’ Sacrifices

Last weekend at the Darlington Raceway, Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron triumphed. The #24 driver has been in excellent form in 2023, with Darlington marking his third win of the season. His first two wins came at Las Vegas and Phoenix, on back-to-back weekends. Since then, he secured three Top-5s before taking the checkered again in Darlington. However, in a recent conversation, the driver confessed to having conflicting emotions in the buildup to the race.

In a recent virtual appearance at the Rubbin is Racing podcast, Byron talked about a recent personal tragedy that he had to deal with before entering the race.

What was the tragedy William Byron spoke of?

As it happened, HMS‘s #24 driver received news that his grandfather passed away. Unfortunately, Byron was not exactly in a position to be with his family. Instead, he had a race to think about and he couldn’t exactly back out at the last minute, citing personal reasons. So, he temporarily bottled his grief and drove his heart out at the Darlington Raceway and won. If we’re being honest, this was not a bad tribute to his late grandfather.

Talking with the co-hosts of the podcast, Byron revealed, “It’s tough, to be honest. There was a part of me that didn’t really want to be at the race track on Sunday. I’d rather be with my family, it’s Mother’s Day, all those things.

“I think that you kind of weigh that as an athlete. The desire changes, right? Based on circumstances. Life kind of has a way of kicking in, over what you do.

“I told my girlfriend, I felt like life was kind of more important this week. Somehow, racing gave me a bit of hope and a moment with my family. That I didn’t expect. It was really cool, tough week, but really cool to have that moment with them.”

Admittedly, the battle for the win was a hard fought one, and he did get a little bit lucky. That was partly because he benefitted from a few late wrecks, as did several others, like Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick. Truthfully speaking, the lead battle was largely between Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain. However, Chastain did what he does best and took himself and Larson out of the equation.

WATCH THIS STORY: “These guys race that way” – Kevin Harvick and William Byron Join in as Chase Elliott Curses Ross Chastain

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This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series paddock makes landfall at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. As it happens, this is a hugely special race because it is a classic NASCAR track that has made a return to the Cup Series. All thanks to Hendrick Motorsports alumnus, Dale Earnhardt Jr, among others, and their tireless efforts to restore the track.

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