William Byron’s love for racing began when he was just six years old, watching a stock car race on television. A trip to Martinsville Speedway in 2006 cemented his passion, sparking a dream that would eventually turn into reality. Like many young racers of his generation, Byron first made a name for himself in the virtual world. Competing on iRacing as a teenager, he racked up over 100 wins and 298 top-five finishes. An impressive start for a future NASCAR Cup Series driver!

Fast forward to today: William Byron is no longer a virtual racer dreaming of success. He’s the real deal! He won the ‘Rookie of the Year’ in 2018 and has 13 wins to his name with an equal number of poles in the NASCAR Cup Series. Byron is currently driving the legendary No. 24 car for Hendrick Motorsports, a seat once held by NASCAR icon and 4-time Champion Jeff Gordon. An experience Byron described: “It’s like being on the Yankees.” But with that prestigious ride comes immense pressure. As Byron revealed on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour in just a few words, the pressure is something he’s never taken lightly.

William Byron looks to thrive under pressure

Byron’s comparison to the Yankees perfectly captures the dynamic at Hendrick Motorsports. Just as players on that storied baseball team face relentless scrutiny, Byron knows every race is an opportunity to either meet or fall short of the legacy he represents. In the Cup Series, Jeff Gordon has notched up 93 wins, 477 top-tens, and 81 poles driving the No. 24 for 805 races in a career that spans 25 years! Byron is continuing the legacy of excellence established by Gordon, striving to leave his own mark on the sport.

Byron explained to Kevin Harvick when asked about driving the #24 for Rick Hendrick, “It just has the history, and you feel a sort of responsibility to win.” Reflecting on the No. 24 car’s legacy and the pressure that comes with the ride, Byron added, “It never goes away… There’s always that expectation, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Despite the constant expectations, Byron has learned to embrace the challenge, making the pressure part of his growth as a driver.

William Byron has had an impressive run with the Hendrick’s team since he started racing for them eight years ago. After his ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors, he followed it up with a playoff qualification, advancing to the round of 12 in 2019. The next year, he scored his first career Cup victory at the Coke Zero Sugar 400. In 2021, he finished with a career-best sixth in the points standings.

Byron’s career highlight, however, came in 2024 when he won the Daytona 500. The win was the first at the track for the iconic no 24 since 2005, with Jeff Gordon himself being the previous winner. What added to the celebrations was that the win occurred 40 years to the date Hendrick Motorsports ran its first-ever race as a team in the 1984 Daytona 500. How perfectly did the stars align for William Byron?!

When asked about driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Byron’s response reflected his deep connection to the team. “I love driving there, and I feel like it’s a nice home for me,” he shared during the interview. His comfort at Hendrick has undoubtedly played a role in his growing success, giving him the confidence to take on every challenge that comes his way.

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William Byron should enter 2025 with championship aspirations

On May 5, 2022, Hendrick Motorsports announced a contract extension for Byron, securing his seat through 2025. With this deal, he remains firmly planted at one of NASCAR’s top teams, determined to build on the car’s rich history. William Byron repaid the faith Rick Hendrick showed in him by making back-to-back Championship four appearances in 2023 and 2024 after the extension. However, after a disappointing 18th-place finish in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray, Byron will look to bounce back at the Daytona 500 and defend his crown.

Byron kicked off the 2025 season by qualifying 21st for the prestigious Daytona 500. While the position isn’t at the front of the pack, it might not matter much for superspeedway racing. And if you know Daytona, starting on the pole is merely a temporary advantage, as wrecks and carnage rain down on the race, causing crazy finishes. In the esteemed history of this race, only on nine occasions has the pole winner won the Daytona 500, the last instance being Dale Jarrett in 2000. So Byron will be confident he can defend his Daytona crown and start the season off strong.

As William Byron continues to carve his path, he honors the legacy of the No. 24 car while adding new chapters to its history. Since the introduction of the Next-gen car in 2022, Byron has had the most wins of any driver (11) apart from his teammate Kyle Larson (13). NASCAR fans are eager to watch how far his journey will go in 2025 and whether he’ll solidify his place among the sport’s all-time greats by clinching the coveted Cup Series Championship. Do you think 2025 will be William Byron’s year?