#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Axalta Chevrolet Camaro celebrates his victory
William Byron gave team owner Rick Hendrick another reason to celebrate during the 40th anniversary year of Hendrick Motorsports. In a chaotic scramble following a restart on lap 197 of 200 in the Daytona 500, Byron crossed the finish line and received the white flag just moments before NASCAR called the fifth caution of the evening. This happened as Ross Chastain spun out of control through the infield grass after contact with Austin Cindric’s Ford. At the time of caution, Alex Bowman was right behind his teammate, resulting in a one-two finish for Hendrick and the organization’s first win in the prestigious Great American Race since Jimmie Johnson triumphed over Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2013. The victory marked Hendrick’s ninth win in the Daytona 500, tying the company with Petty Enterprises for the most wins in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series’ most prominent event. The race was postponed from Sunday to Monday due to heavy rainfall over the weekend.
“I can’t believe it. I wish my dad was here. He’s sick, but this is for him, man. We’ve been through so much, and we sat up in the grandstands together and watched the race (when Byron was younger). This is so amazing,” expressed a jubilant 26-year-old Byron, who comes from a background of racing on computers and now stands as the Daytona 500 champion. This victory marked his 11th career win and his second triumph at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, with the first occurring in the summer race of 2020.
Hendrick’s joy in Victory Lane was evident as he exclaimed, “I’m telling you, you couldn’t write the script any better. When we thought about coming down here the first time, we didn’t think we should be here, felt so out of place. We win this on our 40th to the day, it’s just… and tied a record now, so that’s incredible.”
Before the final restart, Chastain was leading the pack on lap 192 when contact from Alex Bowman caused Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron to lose control and collide with Brad Keselowski’s Ford. Keselowski then veered into the path of Joey Logano’s Ford, who had led for a significant portion of the race. The incident involved a total of 23 cars, including Ryan Blaney, Keselowski, Logano, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suarez, and Todd Gilliland. NASCAR red-flagged the race for over 15 minutes to clear the track.
Reflecting on the accident, Byron said, “Obviously, hate what happened on that backstretch. I just got pushed and got sideways. But so proud of this team, 40th anniversary to the day, on Monday. Just extremely blessed and thankful for all the opportunities, and we just want to keep it going. We have a lot to prove this year, and this is a good start, obviously.”
Byron’s potential for further achievements remains a topic of discussion. In 2023, he secured six wins, the most in the series, qualified for the Championship 4, and finished third in the final standings.
The Daytona 500 experienced its first major incident when an eight-car accident occurred off Turn 4, resulting in inevitable attrition. Keselowski’s Ford made contact with John Hunter Nemechek’s Toyota, causing Nemechek to collide with Harrison Burton’s Ford. Burton then slid into the infield and collected Carson Hocevar’s Chevrolet. Burton’s No. 21 Mustang veered towards the track and crashed into Kaz Grala’s Ford and Austin Dillon’s Chevrolet. Behind Dillon, Hocevar was unable to avoid a collision with seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson. This wreck eliminated Burton, Hocevar, and Grala from the race. Dillon took his No. 3 Chevy to the garage for extensive repairs, while Johnson lost two laps as his team worked to fix his Camry.
“It just looked like they either got a bad push or got loose and just hit me on the right side and sent me across. The grass was so wet that once I got in the grass, I thought I’d be okay, but the car just kept going and going… so really sad that our day is over as quick as it was. We had a really fast Ford. It’s just a bummer. There’s nothing we can do but just move on and try to win next week,” expressed a disappointed Burton.
It took 187 more laps before another massive wreck reduced the field and set the stage for the final battle among the remaining cars. Throughout the race, there were 41 lead changes among 20 different drivers. Christopher Bell finished third, followed by Corey LaJoie, Bubba Wallace, and AJ Allmendinger. Chastain, who attempted a daring maneuver on the penultimate lap by diving to the inside of Cindric but ran out of space, finished 21st, one position ahead of Cindric.
The Daytona 500 took place at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday, February 18, 2024. The average speed of the race winner was 157.178 mph, and the total time of the race was 3 hours, 10 minutes, and 52 seconds. The margin of victory was under caution. There were five caution flags for a total of 20 laps, and the lead changed hands 41 times among 20 different drivers. Notable lap leaders included Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Todd Gilliland, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, AJ Allmendinger, Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell, Noah Gragson, William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace, David Ragan, Daniel Suarez, Corey LaJoie, and Josh Berry. The top 10 finishers in Stage 1 were 9, 5, 1, 48, 24, 8, 11, 23, 19, and 99, while the top 10 finishers in Stage 2 were 12, 2, 99, 8, 45, 24, 23, 47, 16, and 17.
According to the Source racer.com
2024
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2024
This year brings us a new wave of excitement and anticipation as we embark on a journey into the unknown. With each passing day, we are reminded of the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. As we enter a new era, we are filled with hope and determination to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.
In the realm of sports, the stage is set for thrilling battles and unforgettable moments. Athletes from all corners of the globe will compete fiercely, pushing their limits and defying expectations. The world will bear witness to their extraordinary talents and unwavering passion for their respective disciplines.
But it’s not just about the athletes. Behind every great sporting event, there are countless individuals working tirelessly to make it happen. From coaches and trainers to organizers and volunteers, their dedication and commitment are instrumental in bringing these spectacles to life.
As spectators, we have the privilege of immersing ourselves in the electrifying atmosphere that surrounds these events. Whether we’re cheering from the stands or watching from the comfort of our homes, the thrill of the competition is palpable. It’s a chance to escape from the monotony of everyday life and be part of something greater.
As we navigate through this year, let us remember the power of unity and camaraderie that sports bring. It’s a reminder that despite our differences, we can come together and celebrate our shared love for the game. In a world that often feels divided, sports have the unique ability to unite us and transcend barriers.
So, let us embrace the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. Let us revel in the joy and excitement that sports bring. And let us come together as a global community, united by our passion for the game. 2024 holds endless possibilities, and we are ready to seize them with open arms.
