William Byron emerged victorious in the 2024 DAYTONA 500, coincidentally marking 40 years since Hendrick Motorsports made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in 1984.
Taking the white flag at Daytona International Speedway, Byron secured his first DAYTONA 500 win and the 11th victory of his Cup Series career. This triumph propelled Hendrick Motorsports into a tie with Petty Enterprises for the most wins by a team in “The Great American Race,” and it also marked the organization’s fifth win in the event across five different decades.
In a post-race interview, Byron expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am just so proud of this team – this whole No. 24 Axalta Chevy team. Winning on the 40th anniversary to the day (of Hendrick Motorsports’ first race) is extremely special. We just want to keep the momentum going. We have a lot to prove this year, and this is a great start.”
Alex Bowman secured second place, resulting in a 1-2 finish for the Rick Hendrick-owned team. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson finished 11th, and Chase Elliott finished 14th.
Despite facing challenges during the race, including a late-race flat tire, Larson rallied to finish just outside the top 10. Elliott led laps early in the race and managed to avoid major damage in a wreck, ultimately finishing 14th.
Reflecting on the significance of the win, team vice chairman Jeff Gordon remarked, “He [Byron] was already a superstar. He just went to another level of being a superstar.”
Byron’s victory, achieved after starting at the back due to a backup car, saw him lead the final four laps of the race. Bowman, Byron’s teammate, also had a strong showing, finishing second after overcoming challenges earlier in the race.
Looking ahead, the Cup Series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the second points-paying race of the season. With a series-best 17 wins at the track, Hendrick Motorsports aims to continue its success in the upcoming race. Tune in to all the action on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m. ET.
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