The driving force of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet is making his second consecutive look within the Championship 4 — however he’d moderately not repeat his 2023 efficiency.
Final yr, William Byron earned pole place for the title-decider however fell behind rivals Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney because the race progressed.
His entry into this yr’s finale could be very totally different from the opposite three drivers, partly as a result of he earned his method in on factors — partly as a result of he hasn’t gained since April.
Certainly, for 27 minutes after the earlier race in Martinsville, he was really out of the Championship 4.
Then, Byron stood stoically on pit street, ready for a ruling to come back down from NASCAR. Finally, they deemed Christopher Bell’s unintended wall-ride an unlawful security violation, paving the best way for Byron’s re-entry into the ultimate 4.
“It was excruciating,” mentioned Byron of the wait. “I felt prefer it was so lengthy. I used to be truthfully numb to no matter was going to occur. I used to be truthfully simply getting ready for not being in, then desirous about I felt like we did all we might do. It’s what it’s at this level. It was lots of ready. I felt just like the longer I waited, in some methods, that it wasn’t going to work out. However yeah, it did.”
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty College Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Onward to Phoenix
When it was introduced that he would have a shot on the championship, the celebrations had been muted and Byron appeared subdued. That does not imply he’ll let the curious journey to Phoenix affect how he approaches this crucial race on Sunday.
“I have never ever felt as bonded to my staff as I’m now,” mentioned Byron. “We had a gathering on Sunday night time about it. I really feel like we have turned the web page actually, actually shortly. For me personally, I’ve blocked out a ton of the noise. I have never checked out social media. I do not actually care. I am simply targeted on attempting to get the 24 automotive as quick as I can.
“I feel previous experiences have in all probability helped gas that the place I have been via sufficient BS in my Cup profession the place I type of know what to deal with and what to dam out.”
“No remark” on Martinsville penalties
Regardless of his resolution to disregard it, the off-track noise hasn’t quieted down. On Tuesday, NASCAR penalized three groups for alleged race manipulation together with the 2 Chevrolet drivers that rode side-by-side behind Byron within the closing laps. This week, an enchantment by Trackhouse was rejected, with the panel saying it needed to be accomplished to “shield the integrity of the game.”
Byron, the one driver associated to the entire controversy that wasn’t immediately implicated indirectly, had little to say about what occurred or the penalties that adopted.
#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty College Chevrolet Camaro, #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Bass Professional Retailers Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: John Okay Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
“I used to be simply targeted on what I might do,” mentioned Byron when requested about Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon’s actions within the closing laps. “I used to be driving as arduous as I might. I used to be attempting to dam, simply drive as arduous as I might. I do not actually know. I wasn’t of their automobiles. However yeah, that was my objective, was simply attempting to try this.”
He was additionally requested if he agreed with the penalties however once more, it wasn’t a topic Byron was eager to speak about.
“I imply, I’ve no remark. I am simply targeted on the 24. Yeah, I imply, I simply need to do a fantastic job for my staff. I really feel truthfully like on Sunday night time, this can be a enormous alternative for us to exit right here and win this championship. That is all I am targeted on.”
A targeted Byron will definitely have lots of stress on him this weekend as the one driver for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet within the finale. He can even be piloting the long-lasting No. 24, which hasn’t gained a Cup title since Jeff Gordon (who now serves as HMS’ vice chairman) did it in 2001.
