Poor William Byron Hints He’d Deliberately Crash in His Rookie Year at Hendrick Motorsports Because of Jeff Gordon #24 Pressure

A position at a team like Hendrick Motorsports comes with expectations and pressure. After all, being personnel at the winningest team in NASCAR history has its own demands. Over the years, they have continued to produce stars and championships, and legendary crew chiefs. The latest budding talent in their ranks is the #24 driver, William Byron. The 25-year-old is one of the most exciting prospects in the sport and has evolved stably into a winning environment. But the case wasn’t always like this for Byron.

Speaking on 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin’s podcast, ‘Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin’, Byron explained that the pressure of succeeding Jeff Gordon was always there.

William Byron Opens Up on the Initial Pressure at Hendrick Motorsports

Replacing a four-time Cup Series champion will never be an easy task. On top of that, a personality like Jeff Gordon? A figure that was the embodiment of success in all aspects, Gordon is one of the most loved drivers of all time. Taking up the wheel of his iconic #24 Camaro, Byron has delivered on the high expectations from him. With three Cup wins already to his name, things are looking good for the speedster from North Carolina.

Giving insights into his arrival at HMS in 2018, he said, “I think my situation was different [unlike Josh Berry replacing Kevin Harvick]. It was kind of rebranded like I had [Kasey Kahne]’s team and it was rebranded into Jeff or into the #24 but I still had Jeff’s like insight, to help off the track.”

“So, yea it was tough because you’re like, ‘man I just kinda want to learn and be out of the limelight’. Like, I think what they’re doing with Ty is really good. Because, you know, he’s just been able to race.”

Byron on his arrival was the replacement for Kasey Kahne in the #5 car. But as slowly things unfolded, he made his way into their good books and currently cruises with the iconic number. But only 20 days after the announcement of his appointment, he was moved to #24. In the same year, Byron claimed the Rookie of the Year award to become the only second person to win for consecutive seasons in all three national series.

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The Rick Hendrick-owned team are up for the task this season. With two of their drivers, William Byron and Kyle Larson, virtually sealing their spot in the playoffs with race victories, half the work seems to be done. Although Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman will find themselves in precarious positions, the other two have maintained a steady income of points. With 558 points, 3 wins, and 7 top-5s, Byron sits at the top of the table right above Sonoma winner, Martin Truex Jr.

On being asked how it feels to be trusted with the vision of HMS, he said, “Being kind of in a rebranded situation but I think, long-term it was awesome… I think I wouldn’t do it different. The first year I think I was so young and uncomfortable with everything going on, like it was a lot.”

In a surprising revelation, he added, “If I wasn’t running well, I usually crash because I’m like #24 can’t be running like this. Can’t be running 20th. It’s just it’s a lot of pressure.” That seems like a bizarre reason for one to crash his car.

Hamlin then asks what were the things that made Byron feel like things have been clicking in the past year. To which Byron answered, “Honestly, just getting my team and getting out of my shell a little bit with my race team. I was a little too nice, just how I went about things.”

With his steady growth, Byron has slowly made his name into the hearts of NASCAR fans.

Watch This Story: Jeff Gordon gives advice to 18-year old self that would’ve saved him from bitter $153m loss