William Byron secured his second straight Daytona 500 win in a dramatic finish that saw multiple late-race crashes, including a wreck on the final lap that eliminated frontrunners. Byron, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, became the first driver since Denny Hamlin in 2019 and 2020 to claim back-to-back victories in “The Great American Race.”
Byron’s victory came as a result of well-timed positioning and the chaos that unfolded around him. He was running ninth as the field entered the last lap of the green-white-checkered overtime finish. Just ahead, Denny Hamlin had taken the lead from Austin Cindric, but as they raced down the backstretch, a crash sent Hamlin spinning, opening the door for Byron to surge ahead. NASCAR opted not to throw the caution, allowing the race to continue to the finish line, where Byron crossed first ahead of Tyler Reddick and Jimmie Johnson.
The win marked Hendrick Motorsports’ 10th Daytona 500 triumph, breaking a tie with Petty Enterprises for the most wins in the event’s history. The moment was especially meaningful for Byron, who now holds the record as the youngest driver to win multiple Daytona 500s, surpassing his current boss and Hall of Famer, Jeff Gordon.
The final stretch of the race was defined by several multi-car crashes that reshuffled the field. With just five laps to go, Christopher Bell was sent into the wall after contact from Cole Custer, triggering a wreck that saw Ryan Preece’s car flip onto its roof before crashing back onto its wheels. Both drivers exited their cars safely.
As the race neared its final moments, a major incident eliminated key contenders, including Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Busch. Logano, attempting a move in the middle lane, was blocked by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., causing an accordion effect that sent multiple cars into the wall and out of contention.
Despite the carnage, Byron stayed clear of trouble, making his move at the perfect time to capitalize on the final-lap wreck.
After securing the win, Byron reflected on the chaotic nature of the race and his ability to navigate through it. “It’s obviously really special,” Byron said. “A lot of crazy racing out there tonight, but we put ourselves in a position to win, and that’s what matters.”
Jeff Gordon, now the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, praised Byron’s ability to maintain composure in high-pressure moments. “I hope he breaks all my records,” Gordon joked. “He’s got the talent to keep winning these big races.”
Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick, who finished second, acknowledged the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing. “You’ve got to be in the right place at the right time, and today we were close, but William got the run he needed,” Reddick said.
With the Daytona 500 in the books, the NASCAR Cup Series moves to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the next race on the schedule. Byron, already eyeing the championship after back-to-back top-three finishes in the standings, hopes this win sets the tone for a strong season.
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