A whirlwind of speculation has recently swept across the internet, involving one of the biggest stars of the NASCAR Cup Series, William Byron, and pop music sensation Sabrina Carpenter. However, much to the disappointment of fans, this anticipated love story turned out to be a mere flight of fancy.
Byron, a major player in the world of motor racing, boasts an impressive 14 victories at NASCAR’s top level, including his recent triumph at the Daytona 500. Hence, when rumors of a romantic liaison with Carpenter, a leading figure in the pop music scene, started circulating, it sent shockwaves through the fan community.
The saga unfolded when a parody account named ‘The Daily Downfords’ posted a doctored image of Byron purportedly leaving a flirty comment on Carpenter’s post. Considering Carpenter’s illustrious career, including recent Grammy wins for ‘Best Pop Vocal Album’ for Short n’ Sweet and ‘Best Pop Solo Performance’ for Espresso, the potential pairing created quite a stir online.
However, Byron, known for his laid-back demeanor, took the rumor in stride. He jokingly commended the Downfords for their photoshopping skills, comparing them to another parody account, NBA Centel. Despite his light-hearted approach, the rumor mill continued to churn. When confronted by the media about the alleged romantic interest in Carpenter, Byron’s first response was a hearty laugh. He then said, “That’s a good one. No, it was cool to have some fun with that.”
While the fans may have been disheartened by the debunking of these rumors, the potential impact on NASCAR’s ratings had they been true cannot be overlooked. As a point of reference, Taylor Swift’s relationship with Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce brought an additional $331.5 million to the already wealthy NFL.
Despite the disappointment, Byron did not completely dismiss the idea of a potential association with Carpenter, suggesting that they could attend each other’s events: “Maybe we can get her out to a race or something, that would be great. Or I can get to a show. That would be fun.”
Byron’s love life is no stranger to the limelight. Before the Carpenter rumor, he was in a relationship with Erin Blaney, the sister of 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney and daughter of ex-NASCAR driver Dave Blaney. Their romance, which began in 2019 and ended in 2024, allowed Byron to form a strong bond with Ryan Blaney, despite their competing on different teams and manufacturers.
In 2023, Byron spoke about his friendly rivalry with Ryan, saying they race hard on the track, but off it, they maintain a respectful and trusting relationship. Ryan reciprocated the sentiment, praising Byron as a great family man, a talented driver, and someone he has grown to respect.
Though Byron and Erin are no longer an item, he continues to maintain a positive relationship with Ryan, a testament to the strong bonds formed during their time together. As the dust settles on the recent rumors, it’s clear that while the NASCAR world may love a good romance, it also respects the truth and the bonds that truly matter.