A Rare Accomplishment
The 2025 Daytona 500 saw William Byron capture first place for the second year in a row. Byron’s back-to-back Daytona victories make him only the fifth driver to accomplish the feat in the great race’s 65-year history. Let’s recap the NASCAR career of William Byron.
From The NASCAR Cradle
William Byron was born in 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina, right in the middle of NASCAR country. After seeing his first race at Martinsville, he was hooked on the sport, and has never looked back.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Starting Out With Gaming
Almost all racing drivers get their childhood start with go-karts, but Byron got his start on the video game console. Playing on the iRacing simulator, he racked up 100 victories and almost 300 top-fives. His parents decided that it was time for Byron to try racing real cars.
Mike Kalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2012: Legends Success
Byron joined the Legends circuit for young drivers wanting to build experience on cheaper cars. His transition from video game console into the driver’s seat was a further success, with 33 wins and the Legend Car Young Lions Division crown.
Zach Catanzareti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2014: Late Model Days
Recognized now as a developing talent, Byron started racing late models for Junior Motorsports, achieving one win and 11 top-fives. His second place finish in the late model standings brought the interest of HScott Motorsports, who signed Byron to drive in the K&N Pro Series East for the 2015 season.
Zach Catanzareti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2015: K&N Champ And Top Rookie
Byron’s stellar driving in 2015 brought him four wins on the K&N East series, and the series championship. He also was awarded Rookie of the Year honors for the circuit. Not bad for a guy still in high school! But Byron was just getting started.
Mike Kalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2016: On To The Truck Series
Byron signed an offer from Kyle Busch Motorsports to drive in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series for 2016. Though Byron got off to a slow start, he collected his first win of the season in May. He would end up with five wins in the year, including the biggest one of all.
Zach Catanzareti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2016: Record-Breaking Rookie
Byron took his fifth win of 2016 at the always challenging Pocono Raceway. The win broke the old rookie record of four wins in a season held by Kurt Busch since 2000. But Byron had no intention of stopping there.
Brian Lawdermilk, Getty Images
2016: Truck Series Rookie Of The Year
Byron won two more races that year to establish the new rookie record at an amazing seven wins. An engine failure in the Round of Six cost Byron a chance at the championship, but his efforts made him the choice for 2016 Truck Series Rookie of the Year.
Mike Kalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2017: Xfinity Series
The past two seasons had put Byron on the radar of Hendrick Motorsports, who signed Byron to drive fulltime in the Xfinity series for 2017 for the Junior Motorsports team. Driving the number 9 Camaro, Byron quickly adapted to the new series.
Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2017: Indianapolis Win
Byron captured his third win of the season at Indianapolis. It was Byron’s first-ever race at the historic track, making the victory that much sweeter. As Byron savored the win, the 2017 season would bring more accomplishments.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2017: Xfinity Series Winner
The final race of that year at Homestead in Miami saw Byron pull out a win over Elliott Sadler to give him the race and the series championship. With a championship in just his first year of competition, Byron was an automatic choice for Xfinity Rookie of the Year as well.
Zach Catanzareti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2018: Cup Series Start
Hendrick now moved to make Byron a full-time driver on the NASCAR Cup circuit, driving the number 24 car. Byron’s first race on the circuit in the Can Am Duel would end in a crash, but he would finish 23rd in that year’s Daytona 500. It was a slow start to the year, but things would pick up quickly for the rookie.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2018: NASCAR Cup Rookie Of The Year
Byron gained his first top-10 finish of the year at Charlotte in May, and would follow with four more top-10s on the year. The consistent effort earned him Rookie of the Year Award for the NASCAR Cup series. From there, things were poised to just get better and better!
Zach Catanzareti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2019: NASCAR Playoffs
Byron started the year by taking the pole position at Daytona. With five top-five finishes and 13 top-10s, Byron was a consistent competitor throughout that year. He qualified for that year’s playoffs before being knocked out of the Round of 12.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2020: First Cup Series Win
Byron claimed his first career NASCAR Cup win August 29 at Daytona in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, finishing ahead of his Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott. The win enabled Byron to advance to the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
2021: Homestead Win
Byron’s 2021 got of to a promising start with a win in the third race of the season at Homestead. Byron led for 101 of the race’s 112 final laps, a solid victory. But this convincing win was only the start of something bigger.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2021: Top-10 Streak
The win at Homestead started a streak for Byron of 11 consecutive top-10 finishes including top-fives at the important tracks of Martinsville, Talladega, and Darlington. Though the streak got stopped, Byron maintained a strong performance to qualify for the Cup playoffs a third straight year.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2022: Win At Atlanta
Byron held off a strong effort in the last lap by Ross Chastain to win a memorable victory at the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20, 2022. He would follow that up three weeks later with a victory at Martinsville. These highlights would pay dividends later in the year as well.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2022: Not Afraid To Smash Bumpers
Byron was now a familiar face in the NASCAR playoffs. He was fined after knocking Denny Hamlin onto the infield during a caution period. It was a display of Byron’s more aggressive side, showing he’s not afraid to mix it up with tough competitors. Despite the setback, he finished sixth in the competition after being knocked out in the Round of Eight. He was improving, but slowly. Things were looking up for 2023.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2023: Back-To-Back Wins
Byron captured first place in the March 5 race at Las Vegas, and continued the success the following weekend with a first-place finish at Phoenix. The repeat performance was a strong start to the year, and he would continue on that path the rest of the season.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2023: Darlington Win
Kyle Larson turned Ross Chastain into the wall with six laps to go at the Goodyear 400 at Darlington on May 14, allowing Byron to take the lead for good. It was Byron’s third win of the year. Byron was on pace for a career year.
2023: Road Course Win
The road course at Watkins Glen is one race that every driver would love to have on their resume, and Byron accomplished the feat on August 20 by taking the Go Bowling at the Glen over second-place finisher Denny Hamlin. The win marked a season high fifth win for Byron as the field looked ahead to the playoff rounds.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2023: Final Round Appearance
With a win in Fort Worth in the first round of the NASCAR playoff series, Byron was in contention for the championship until the season’s final race. He ultimately finished third behind Ryan Blaney. Byron was now one of NASCAR’s top contenders.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2023: Netflix Spotlight
Byron was one of the featured drivers in Season One of the Netflix series Full Speed. With five episodes including plenty of racing footage and behind the scenes interviews, Byron was shown as one of the faces of a new generation of NASCAR drivers.
Nascar Studios, TV Series NASCAR: Full Speed (2024-)
2024: A Win Like No Other
The 2024 Daytona 500 saw Byron going right back to work from his solid 2023. Emerging from a 23-car wreck with four laps to go, he fended off strong pushes from Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric. The two pursuers collided, putting the race under caution just as Byron crossed the finish line. Byron won by a nose over Hendrick teammate Alex Bowman. It was the biggest win of Byron’s career.
2024: Lone Star Win
Byron’s formidable road course skills came in handy at the 20-turn Circuit of the Americas track near Austin, TX. Byron led for most of the race to take his second win of the season. It was his third consecutive season with multiple wins for the wheelman. He would follow up with another win two weeks later.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2024: Martinsville Win
Two weeks after his Austin win, Byron captured the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville. With the Daytona win to start the year and the road course win at Circuit of the Americas, the win on the short track at Martinsville showed the well-rounded nature of Byron’s skills. But the most unusual moment of 2024 was still yet to come.
TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2024: An Unusual Finish
With the final open spot in the last round of the NASCAR playoffs up for grabs, leader Christopher Bell pulled the now-banned Ross Chastain move of riding along the outer wall at the penultimate race at Martinsville. NASCAR officials broke the resulting tie between Bell and Byron by giving Byron the nod into the final round.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2024: Finishing Strong Again
Byron ultimately finished third in the Cup standings behind winner Joey Logano. His final totals for the season were a model of consistency, with three wins, 13 top-fives, and 21 top-10s. It was a successful end to one of the most unusual seasons in recent NASCAR history, but Byron was already turning the page to 2025.
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2025: Second Daytona Win
Byron wouldn’t have to wait long for his first win of the season. It was a big one, as he emerged from a seven-car wreck on the final lap and held off Tyler Reddick for the win as the caution flag never came out. It was the biggest win of Byron’s career, allowing him to make history in the process.
Joint Base Myer, Wikimedia Commons
2025: In Distinguished Company
Byron’s second straight Daytona 500 victory put him in the ranks of some of the best drivers in NASCAR history. Only Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Sterling Marlin, and Denny Hamlin have won the 500 in back-to-back years. Impressive!
Ted Van Pelt, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
What Makes Him So Good?
Byron’s consistent performance is a big part of what has helped him become one of NASCAR’s best. His recent Daytona win meant he had finished in the top six in his last eight previous races, the first to turn the feat since Martin Truex Jr in 2020, and the third-youngest to do it after only Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon. But Byron has another ingredient in his recipe for success.
Joint Base Myer, Wikimedia Commons
A Driving Ambition
Rather than dwelling on his past accomplishments, Byron is more determined than ever to improve his skills. When boss Rick Hendrick offered his congratulations in Victory Lane at Daytona, Byron replied that he still needed to improve his short-track skills. It was a glimpse of Byron’s determination to stay ahead of the competition.
Nascar Studios, TV Series NASCAR: Full Speed (2024-)
Part Of A Tradition
Byron has been a Hendrick driver since the beginning of his NASCAR career, at the wheel of the number 24 car that was made famous by Jeff Gordon. Talk about big shoes to fill! In honor of Byron’s win, Hendrick sent the winning car back to their headquarters in Charlotte instead of leaving it on display at Daytona as is customary. It was a mark of the influence of Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most successful teams in NASCAR.
Zach Catanzareti, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bright Road Ahead
William Byron has already compiled an impressive list of accomplishments at the age of 27. Though the competition remains fierce, Byron’s consistency and constant improvement ensures that he’ll be a force in NASCAR for years to come.
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
