The 1990s and 2000s stand as a gilded era in NASCAR’s rich history. 14 Cup championship victories, out of which, 11 gleaming jewels belong to the iconic pairing of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon—a rivalry that burned with fervor, casting a long shadow over the sport to date. Yet, the GOAT debate is far from waning.

Over a decade later, Hendrick Motorsports has found a new star in 2023 in the cockpit of the iconic #24 Chevy, once piloted by the Vice Chairman himself. With his meteoric rise that has earned HMS five victories this season so far, it is hard to look the other way from William Byron’s allegiance with Gordon’s arch-nemesis, Jimmie Johnson. Byron now navigates these tumultuous waters, and his choice certainly speaks volumes.

Navigating the Gordon-Johnson rivalry and defining the GOAT debate

Last weekend’s Bristol night race was a defining moment for Byron, as he parked his Chevy to a top-10 finish. Cementing his spot in the playoffs round of 12, he expressed his views on the historical rivalry between Gordon and Johnson during their tenure as teammates at HMS. In a candid chat with Fox Sports, Byron, a lifelong devotee of Jimmie Johnson, was asked a critical question concerning the crossroads he is in as he drove the iconic #24 car, “What was it like driving the 24 and were you a Gordon fan, too?”

“I was. I was obviously a Jimmie fan,” Byron declared. However, as a dedicated Hendrick fan, he held a deep admiration for both Johnson and Gordon. Byron has developed a close personal relationship with Gordon, transcending the competitive dynamics of the past. “But being a Hendrick fan, I loved both of them. And I’ve grown really fond of Jeff just getting to know him personally.”

The transition into the #24 car has not only solidified Byron’s enduring relationship with Johnson but has also forged a strong bond with Gordon. “So I think, honestly, I still obviously have a great relationship with Jimmie. But Jeff and I have gotten really close over the last few years. And I think it’s been kind of an acquired relationship. When I watched him race, I was like, ‘Man, I wanted the 48 to win,’ but now I love talking to Jeff.”

Byron masterfully navigated the delicate balance, maintaining allegiance to both sides. And for good reason, given the fiery discourse surrounding the Gordon-Johnson rivalry. Even decades after their prime, the #24 and #48 cars maintain their dedicated fan base. When pressed about the weight of the #24 legacy, Byron was eloquent and quick-witted in his words, as he claimed his superiority to a “modern-day rookie.”

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From iRacing breakthrough to NASCAR stardom: William Byron’s journey behind the #24

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Rising through the ranks from iRacing, Rick Hendrick‘s ace collected three consecutive Rookie of the Year honors across different NASCAR series. However, it was Byron’s 2018 Cup debut (behind the wheel of the #24) that truly tested his mettle. The weight on his shoulders was considerably massive, with ominous threats like “If they don’t win pretty soon, they better be looking over their shoulder.”

It wasn’t until two years later that Byron tasted the sweetness of victory. When probed about the significance of driving the #24, Byron revealed, “I think we get a lot of support from a lot of traditional Hendrick fans, 24 fans. So I feel like that’s always been there for me, even my rookie year when I struggled a little bit.”

With a glance to his rookie season, Byron added, “Looking back, I didn’t struggle as bad as I thought I was compared to the modern-day rookie. It definitely was tougher than I expected. And I think the fans stuck by us, and they continued to support us. And then when we started to win races and win multiple [races], it seems like they’ve always been there for us.”

In a world full of opinions and uncertainties, the debate concerning the sport’s greatest remains elusive. However, come a few months, if Byron manages to reach the Championship 4 race at Phoenix, NASCAR might see the #24 car drowned in championship glory once again.

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