Did Signing a New Contract Through 2022 at Hendrick Motorsports Spur William Byron for Daytona Win?

It has been a week to savor for Hendrick Motorsports’ newest race winner William Byron. A first NASCAR Cup Series win at the famed Daytona International Speedway earned him a spot in the playoffs. To cap off a great week, Hendrick Motorsports announced on Tuesday that Byron has signed a new contract with the No. 24 team.

The contract extension will keep William Byron in the No. 24 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports through the 2022 season. The win at Daytona was Byron’s maiden win in 98 Cup Series starts. He is currently in his third full-time Cup Series season with Hendrick Motorsports.

Prior to his win at Daytona, William Byron had just a single top-five finish this season. Despite not replicating his 2019 form this season, the victory already makes his 2020 season a standout year for the youngster. He now heads into the playoffs with all the momentum.

Contract extension fueled Daytona win for William Byron?

As per Hendrick Motorsports, the contract was signed on August 8. This was before his Daytona win and while he was in the midst of the playoff battle with teammate Jimmie Johnson and Matt DiBenedetto. The contract was signed just before the race at the Michigan International Speedway.

This shows Hendrick Motorsports’ faith in the youngster. The surety regarding his future with the team just spurred Byron on further to make the most of the occasion at Daytona.

2021 scenario at Hendrick Motorsports

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Byron’s contract extension leaves three of the four drivers at Hendrick Motorsports secured with new deals. The only spot left in the team is now the No. 48, left vacant by the retirement of Jimmie Johnson from full-time racing.

Like Byron, Chase Elliott’s contract runs through 2022 as well. Alex Bowman signed a new contract in May that will last until the end of next season. The focus will now shift on filling the rather big shoes left by Jimmie Johnson as the 2021 season comes along.

The NASCAR playoffs begin this Sunday with a night race at the Darlington Raceway. William Byron will look to better his run this time around, compared to last year. In the 2019 playoffs, Byron secured two top-10 finishes and reached the Round of 12. He finished in 7th and 6th places at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval, respectively.