‘I Was Different’, William Byron Confesses Feeling Inferior About Having Non Conventional Racing Roots

William Byron was thrown into the limelight after his commendable Daytona triumph this season. Driving the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, the driver is now being analyzed as a top contender for the Cup series Championship this season.

However, Byron’s quick ascension in Hendrick Motorsports and to NASCAR’s top level began with humble origins. As a child, William improved his driving abilities through iRacing, an online racing simulation video game. 

William Byron Opens Up: Struggles with iRacing Background

William Byron’s start in the racing world was not very straightforward, like racing carts or midgets at a younger age. Instead, he started racing with people online on a simulator game. While having an illuminating conversation with NASCAR icon Kenny Wallace, Byron shed some light on his feelings about coming from an iRacing Background.

Kenny Wallace acknowledged Byron’s probable fatigue in discussing iRacing, recognizing the potential stigma associated with it.“I know you’re tired of it you’re probably are you tired of talking about that iRacing?” asserted Kenny.

Byron admitted that initially, he avoided conversations about iRacing, stating, “I mean yeah for a while when I started I didn’t, I really shot away from talking about it. Because I felt like I was different and in not a good way they didn’t like you for it.” 

Adding to it Byron said, “And I think for me like as I’ve gotten older. I realized that ‘that’s who I am’ and that’s where I came from so you know it’s I try to embrace it now.”

Now with maturity, Byron has come a long way, accepting his background in iRacing. He now embraces Sim racing as an integral part of his identity and racing journey.

SVG seems blown away by the NASCAR Tech here!

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Now digging into the discussion about Simulation Racing more deeply, we have Shane van Gisbergen. The Supercars Champ turned NASCAR Rookie recently acknowledged the level of technology used in NASCAR.

While having a light-hearted discussion with Kevin Harvick on his Happy Hour Podcast, SVG was asked whether he was introduced to the style of simulation he observed here before in his Supercars Career.

SVG replied with astonishment at NASCAR’s extensive reliance on simulation and data analysis. “Not there and that’s blown me away here, especially with no practice how much they rely on the Sim here and what you see or what you don’t see behind the scenes here is whether it’s the computer Sim or the driving computer Sim,” he elaborated.

SVG pointed out the hidden wonders behind the scenes, stating, “It’s unbelievable the level of Technology here. Which is a shame! It’s kind of hidden you know the fan doesn’t get to see it but yeah it’s very very impressive. The tech here.”

Behind the scenes, simulation technology frequently hides from fans in a sport focused on adrenaline-fueled racing. Yet, as William Byron and Shane van Gisbergen’s insights reveal, the intricate world of simulation racing has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of drivers. As the NASCAR community continues to embrace and develop with simulation, fans are left to consider the tremendous impact of technology on the sport’s future, sparking interest and anticipation for what lies ahead on the track.

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