In the fast-paced world of NASCAR, not only does the action on the track garner attention, but off-track rumors and speculations often make headlines too. Recently, Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron found himself at the center of a media maelstrom, following rumors of a possible romantic involvement with pop star and actress Sabrina Carpenter. These speculations were ignited by an alleged direct message from Byron to Carpenter that surfaced online.
Byron, who had a victorious start to his 2025 Cup Series campaign by bagging the Daytona 500 title for the second consecutive year, found his personal life under the spotlight. The internet was abuzz with conjectures about a possible relationship between the NASCAR driver and Carpenter. However, Byron decided to address the rumors head-on through a social media post.
But is this the beginning of a high-profile relationship in the NASCAR circuit? Or is the chatter merely fueled by unfounded rumors?
This isn’t the first instance of a sports figure being romantically linked with a pop artist. Back in 2023, rumors swirled about Taylor Swift and Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce after Swift was spotted at a Kansas City game. Despite denials from both parties, the rumor mill kept churning, especially when Swift became a frequent visitor at Arrowhead Stadium. The speculations were further fueled when the duo were seen together in public for the first time.
Similarly, Byron’s alleged Instagram message to Carpenter sparked speculations about a potential relationship between the two. Byron, however, was quick to dismiss the rumors by sharing a brief video clip, where an unidentified individual spoke on his behalf, stating, “I wasn’t planning on doing this today, but I guess so. I’ll start from the top, look at this, open and honest, that was not me.”
Interestingly, Byron’s denial stirred the rumor pot even more. While the alleged message is currently absent from Carpenter’s Instagram, fans were left with more questions than answers after Byron’s statement. Did he unintentionally send the message and then delete it, or was the message never sent in the first place? As fans remain vigilant for any potential hints, only time will reveal the truth behind the rumors.
Carpenter isn’t new to the NASCAR universe. The “Girl Meets World” star had made her presence felt at the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards held in Las Vegas, where she performed her song ‘We’ll Be The Stars’ at the age of 16. As it stands, the rumors linking Carpenter and Byron remain just that – rumors. While Byron’s denial might not completely quell the speculations, it serves as a reminder to fans that not everything seen online is necessarily true.
Joining the rumor mill was Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports, who seemingly tried to play the supportive wingman role in a tongue-in-cheek comment. He quipped, “Yeah, Byron let me borrow his Lambo the other day and then flew me on his private jet back from Daytona right after he won. So I appreciate (that). Nice guy. Sabrina is lucky to have him.”
Meanwhile, on the track, Byron, the native North Carolinian, has been making waves. Following his second consecutive victory at ‘The Great American Race’, he became the youngest driver to win the prestigious event multiple times in his career. The triumph has already secured his spot in the playoffs, giving him a different perspective as he approaches the upcoming races, free from the burden of securing his post-season place.