For over three decades, the winning car of the Daytona 500 has remained at Daytona International Speedway, enshrined in the track’s museum for fans to admire for an entire year. It’s a time-honored NASCAR tradition—one that preserves the scars of battle, from the confetti to the crumpled sheet metal, as a trophy frozen in time.
But this year? Hendrick Motorsports just flipped the script.
In an unprecedented move, William Byron’s 2024 Daytona 500-winning Chevrolet Camaro is heading home to Charlotte instead of staying at Daytona. And if anyone was going to challenge the status quo, it was going to be Rick Hendrick, the most dominant team owner in NASCAR history.
A Tradition Broken, A Statement Made
The tradition of leaving the winning car at Daytona is sacred—it’s a chance for fans to get up close to history. The battered, beaten, and victorious machine sits on display, a testament to the grueling battle that is The Great American Race.
But Hendrick Motorsports, a 14-time Cup Series championship team with 301 victories, had other plans. Instead of leaving Byron’s race-winning No. 24 Chevrolet behind, they packed it up, loaded it into their hauler, and drove it back to Charlotte.
Why? Because HMS isn’t just a part of NASCAR history—they are NASCAR history.
This wasn’t an accident. This wasn’t an oversight. This was a power move.
Byron’s win marked Hendrick’s first Daytona 500 victory in a decade, making it a monumental moment for the team. And with HMS already sending Byron’s 2025-winning car to Daytona as per the tradition, they saw an opportunity:
Why leave one of their most iconic cars in Florida when it can be celebrated at Hendrick Motorsports headquarters, alongside the greatest machines in NASCAR history?
The Legacy of the No. 24 and Hendrick’s Museum of Greatness
Byron’s 2024 Daytona 500 triumph wasn’t just any win—it was a historic throwback.
The No. 24 Camaro, draped in a fiery white-and-red scheme, was a modern tribute to Jeff Gordon’s legendary 2005 Daytona 500-winning DuPont Chevrolet. While Gordon’s car was wrapped in black with blue and yellow flames, Byron’s machine flipped the colors, signifying “same success, new era.”
And where else would such an iconic car belong?
Hendrick’s museum is a shrine to greatness.
- Jimmie Johnson’s first win at Auto Club Speedway
- Terry Labonte’s last victory at Darlington in 2003
- Jeff Gordon’s 2005 Daytona 500-winning car—one of the most famous stock cars of all time
Now, Byron’s 2024 Camaro joins that elite company.
Hendrick’s Message: We Make History, We Own History
This wasn’t just a logistical decision—it was a statement.
Rick Hendrick, who already holds the record for most Daytona 500 wins by a team owner, just cemented his grip on NASCAR history.
By bringing Byron’s 2024-winning car back to Charlotte, Hendrick is controlling the legacy—reminding the world that when you think of stock car dominance, you think of Hendrick Motorsports.
A Power Play That Will Be Remembered
This isn’t just about where a car sits for the next year. It’s about rewriting the rules.
It’s about reminding the competition that Hendrick Motorsports doesn’t just win races—they define eras.
Rick Hendrick didn’t just take home a race-winning car.
He took control of the narrative.
