
via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 10: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, stands on the grid after posting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 10: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, stands on the grid after posting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The trend of first-time Cup race winners ended in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. However, the string of surprise winners this NASCAR season continued, as William Byron stunned the field with a dominant victory.
Byron bagged his second race win in the Cup Series after winning for the first time at Daytona in last year’s regular-season finale. The Hendrick Motorsports no. 24 books his playoff spot very early in the season and another playoff place goes to an unexpected name at this stage of the season.
“I can’t even believe it, honestly. It was just a really smooth day. We worked hard in the winter on this track and can’t believe it,” said an ecstatic Byron right after his victory.
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“This car is just awesome, it really is. A lot of hard work. We went to the sim 4-5 times this off-season and just pays off, man. It’s awesome,” he added.
Byron finished the race ahead of Tyler Reddick and Martin Truex Jr, as Kyle Larson and Kevin Harvick completed the top-5.
Retweet to congratulate @WilliamByron and @TeamHendrick on their NASCAR Cup Series WIN at Homestead-Miami Speedway! pic.twitter.com/zpTcitfHI8
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 1, 2021
William Byron reserves huge praise for crew chief Rudy Fugle
Team owner Rick Hendrick was in attendance and celebrated with Byron’s crew chief Rudy Fugle in the no. 24 team’s camp.
Byron praised Fugle, who told his team to “get used to winning” right after the chequered flag. “That guy has been huge for my career. He’s the reason I’m here and I’m glad we could get him. He’s just awesome,” Byron said.

USA Today via Reuters
Feb 11, 2021; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) leads the field during the Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Byron began fighting for the lead in the second stage and did not look back ever since. In a big move to end the second stage, he snuck past the Joe Gibbs cars of Denny Hamlin and Truex Jr. to win the stage.
Denny Hamlin tries to hold off Martin Truex Jr., but @WilliamByron slides underneath them both to take Stage 2!
(Via @NASCAR) pic.twitter.com/frFEvuQk6N
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) February 28, 2021
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Byron dominates the race in Homestead-Miami
Byron stayed in the lead for most of the final stage and led over 100 laps on the night. Hendrick’s Larson once again showed his skills at Homestead-Miami, but it was not enough, as Byron kept increasing the lead.
With around 30 laps to the chequered flag, Byron already had a lead of over five seconds over the no. 5 car. Eventually, Larson lost his place as Reddick rushed to bag a second-place finish, while Larson finished fourth.
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🙌
Enjoy it, @WilliamByron! pic.twitter.com/3OvOo63o5p
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 1, 2021
A burnout done to perfection! 😍@WilliamByron | @TeamHendrick pic.twitter.com/0JcRLvByKd
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 1, 2021
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