William Byron admits “it stings” to lose after Darlington dominance

William Byron’s efficiency at Darlington Raceway was one not often seen in trendy NASCAR, completely dominating the vast majority of the race. Byron led each lap in Stage 1 and Stage 2, occurring to guide the primary 243 (of 297 complete) laps, with no single lead change.

The final time a driver led each single lap in a Cup race was Jeff Burton virtually 25 years in the past, however Byron’s probability of finishing the NASCAR model of a no-hitter didn’t pan out the way in which he hoped it might.

Regardless of a surprising present of dominance, all it took was one spherical of green-flag pit stops to unravel Byron’s benefit.

Nobody handed him on monitor, however Byron fell again to 3rd as Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell pulled off the ‘undercut’, by the cycle of inexperienced flag pit stops. Now in visitors for the primary time, Byron struggled to make ahead progress. He ended up shedding extra spots to Ryan Blaney and eventual race winner Denny Hamlin, who each had brisker tires after operating lengthy within the earlier run.

A late-race warning paved the way in which for Byron to discover a means again as much as second, but it surely was nonetheless a bitter loss after showcasing such dominant pace from the 24 automobile.

“First off, actually happy with my staff, bringing that stage of effort and preparation, have a automobile like that,” mentioned Byron. “For us to execute like that, it was wanting prefer it was going to be an ideal race. We have been going to guide each lap. Was actually happy with that.

“These guys could possibly be aggressive on the opposite aspect of the inexperienced flag cycle, we misplaced management there. As soon as we misplaced management, too late within the going to form of get again up there. Yeah, it sucks. I am certain it can sting so much tonight. There’s nonetheless quite a lot of positives. It stings within the second, for certain.”

Byron, who received the season-opening Daytona 500, continues to guide the championship standings with a 49-point benefit over his closest competitors. 

Photographs from Darlington – Race