via Getty
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: William Byron, driver of the #24 HendrickAutoguard/CityChvrltThrwbck Chev, climbs into his car prior to qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Racewayin Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
via Getty
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: William Byron, driver of the #24 HendrickAutoguard/CityChvrltThrwbck Chev, climbs into his car prior to qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Racewayin Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
On 1st Jan 2022, Hendrick Motorsports legend Jeff Gordon was named to be the new Vice-Chairman of the outfit. Owing to his new roles in the organization, the 50-year-old is kept fairly busy. However, #24 driver William Byron has admitted that in spite of Gordon’s duties, the former Cup champion continues to act as a driver consultant.
He said, “I try to get advice from him that’s going to pay off. He’s pretty direct with his advice, and he’s good with the crew chiefs, too. I’m very confident in the feels that I have at tracks I have run well. But there’s a few tracks that I haven’t run as well where maybe Jeff can have good advice for the crew chief, as well.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
How did the Talladega race play out for William Byron?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Admittedly, both he and Kyle Larson qualified well for the race. However, the race itself was a completely different story, with Larson, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman in the Top 10. Meanwhile, poor old Byron could only muster 15th fastest on the track. On the other hand, the defending champion finished 4th, with Elliott 7th and Bowman in 9th place.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 27, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) before the start of the EchoPark Automotive Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
At the front of the field, Ross Chastain triumphed for Trackhouse Racing, his second career win. Behind him were Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch, the best of the Toyotas. Larson was also part of a Joe Gibbs Racing sandwich slotting in between Busch and Martin Truex Jr. Meanwhile, the best Ford driver was Michael McDowell in 8th place, with Bowman and Kevin Harvick behind him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Of course, Byron can do nothing about the race, except rue what could have been. Then, he will have to quickly move on and focus on the upcoming race at Dover. Dover is apparently a good hunting ground for Hendrick Motorsports, as Alex Bowman won over there, last year. All that Byron needs to do is secure a decent qualifying and try to win the race for the first time in his career.
