Remember the November 2024 race at Martinsville? Bell, a fierce title contender, was penalized late, eliminating his shot at the Cup. Byron, the direct beneficiary, advanced to the Championship 4. As emotions ran high, the two shared a hug, with Bell taking the first step. Byron, relieved yet empathetic, understood the weight of Bell’s disappointment.

Fast forward to Circuit of the Americas, and the two found themselves locked in another intense battle. This time, the stakes weren’t for a championship but for a race win. When the moment arrived, it was Byron who made the choice this time. A choice that spoke volumes about his character, his approach to racing, and most importantly, the camaraderie between the two.

William Byron holds his line but comes up short

William Byron gave it everything he had at Circuit of the Americas, but it wasn’t enough to outlast Christopher Bell. Bell took the lead from Kyle Busch with just five laps remaining, and despite Byron’s best efforts, he couldn’t get past him. “I was really close,” Byron said, reflecting on the tight battle. “I felt like the battle between him and Kyle…sitting there waiting for one of them to bobble or slide their tires.”

Byron’s moment came when Bell got loose during his fight with Busch. That’s when Byron saw his chance, but the No. 20 Camry just had enough speed to recover. “Bell got by him and I felt like once he got clear, his car was super loose, and it kind of gave me a couple shots at him. I just couldn’t get beside him,” he explained.

However, despite the pressure, Byron wasn’t about to take the low road. “We’ve always raced really well together, so I didn’t wanna move him blatantly,” Byron admitted, revealing the integrity behind his racing approach. He could’ve pushed Bell out of the way but chose not to, respecting their longstanding good relationship.

While Byron came close to making a move, he ultimately finished second. Reddick finished in third, with Busch rounding out the top five. “Just sliding around a ton there at the end,” Byron noted, acknowledging the difficulties in making a final push for the win.

With today’s win, Bell has become the first driver to win two of the first three races to start a season since Kevin Harvick achieved the feat in 2018. William Byron, on the other hand, was chasing his second win for the 2025 season after an impressive win in the season opener at Daytona. Today’s win would also have been Byron’s second consecutive win at the COTA.

Reflecting on last year’s race, Bell had his own thoughts to share. “Almost deja vu from last year here,” he said. To jog your memories, the 2024 COTA race had a similar final lap as today’s, the only difference being the places for the 1st and the 2nd spot being swapped.

With the next race on the horizon, Byron’s decision to race clean raises the question: Was it the right call? Did he hold back too much, or is that just the kind of racer he wants to be?

Trending

1

Tony Stewart Drops a Clear Answer on 3-Month Old Son’s Future After Harsh Verdict on Racing Career

2

Kaulig Racing Claims Over $100,000 in Damages by Roger Penske’s “Unlawful” Driver After COTA Retaliation

3

“It’s Gonna Drag Us Down”: Years After Misjudging Rick Hendrick’s Late Son, NASCAR Legend Left Emotional by Memories

4

Calls Mount for Justice for Disgruntled NASCAR Star Amid Joe Gibbs’ $100,000 Escape

5

Veteran Insider Predicts the End to Kyle Busch’s 20-Year-Long NASCAR Legacy With a 4-Worded Jab

Will Byron get his redemption at the Shriners Children’s 500?

As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway for the Shriners Children’s 500 on March 9th, William Byron will be eager to bounce back from his near-miss at COTA. The 2024 race at Phoenix wasn’t kind to him, as he finished 18th. He was well behind Christopher Bell, who took the win. Bell’s victory at Phoenix last season was his first career win at the track, and he capitalized on a strong late-race performance to secure the checkered flag.

Byron will no doubt look to turn things around this year. While his 2024 Phoenix result was slightly disappointing, his performance in 2023 was a stark contrast. He finished the race in the top spot. The challenge this year is clear. He’ll need to overcome the momentum of Bell, who has been dominant at certain tracks, including Phoenix.

Byron’s resilience and recent form, including his impressive start to 2025, will be key factors in determining whether he can claim the victory that slipped through his fingers last year. Will he come out on top this time? Fans are eager to find out.