They say history repeats itself—but even Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon couldn’t have scripted this. William Byron shocked the NASCAR world once again, stealing victory in the closing moments of the 2025 Daytona 500 to become the first Hendrick Motorsports driver to win back-to-back titles in “The Great American Race.” His dramatic last-lap triumph also cemented Hendrick Motorsports’ record-extending 10th Daytona 500 win, further solidifying its place as NASCAR’s greatest dynasty.
But what if we told you this wasn’t just a victory—it was manifested?
The Hendrick Motorsports Daytona Tradition That Made This Possible
It all started hours before the race, in a moment that now feels eerily prophetic. As per tradition, the previous year’s Daytona 500-winning car is returned to the team before the next race. So, on race morning, William Byron, Jeff Gordon, and Rick Hendrick stood beside Byron’s 2024-winning No. 24 Chevrolet, reflecting on what could be.
Gordon, a three-time Daytona 500 champion himself, later recalled the moment in an interview with Dirty Mo Media:
“Earlier today I was with Rick [Hendrick] and William [Byron], and we were getting the car from last year’s win returned to us. That was so special, and we were talking about how amazing it would be to do it again. I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen, but they pulled it off.”
Little did they know, Byron was about to make history.
How William Byron’s Last-Lap Move Stunned NASCAR
This wasn’t a race Byron controlled. Far from it. As the final lap began, Byron was sitting in ninth place, seemingly out of contention. But Daytona has a way of producing chaos, and with the lead pack battling hard into Turn 3, disaster struck.
Denny Hamlin, Austin Cindric, and Cole Custer tangled at the front, creating a multi-car wreck that wiped out several contenders. As the smoke cleared, a perfect lane opened up on the outside—directly in front of William Byron. With a clean run to the checkered flag, the 27-year-old seized the moment, completing one of the most improbable Daytona 500 victories in recent memory.
From ninth to first in one corner. That’s the magic of Daytona.
Byron Joins NASCAR Royalty with Historic Win
William Byron’s name is now etched in the NASCAR history books alongside some of the sport’s greatest legends.
By securing his second Daytona 500 victory, Byron joins an elite club of multi-time winners, including Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, Matt Kenseth, and Michael Waltrip. More importantly, he matches Hendrick Motorsports icons Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Of course, reaching Richard Petty’s record of seven wins is a long shot, but for Byron, this victory represents more than just a statistic—it’s proof that he belongs among the sport’s greats.
Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon couldn’t have been prouder, saying:
“It’s great that it’s the No. 24 team and Axalta doing it back-to-back. Number 10 for Hendrick Motorsports as well. It takes you doing this a few times to learn how to enjoy it the most. I bet he’s going to enjoy this one more than the last. If he does it again, he’ll figure out how to do it even better then.”
Byron is only the second driver since 2000 to win back-to-back Daytona 500s, the other being Denny Hamlin in 2019-2020. But in Hendrick Motorsports’ storied history, Byron is the first to pull off consecutive wins at Daytona’s biggest stage.
A Win That Symbolizes More Than Luck
Sure, superspeedway racing involves its fair share of luck. But this win was about more than just being in the right place at the right time.
It was about resilience.
Hendrick Motorsports has been NASCAR’s gold standard for decades, but they haven’t won a Cup Series title since 2021. This victory serves as a reminder that even when the odds seem stacked against them, HMS always finds a way to rise to the top.
Will Byron’s Daytona 500 triumph serve as a launching pad for Hendrick’s return to championship glory? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain—this was a win for the ages, and the No. 24 is officially back where it belongs: in the NASCAR spotlight.