For William Byron, the road to NASCAR greatness started long before he ever buckled into a real race car. A childhood trip to Martinsville Speedway in 2006 sparked his passion for stock car racing, but it was iRacing—the virtual racing world—where he first made a name for himself. With over 100 iRacing wins, Byron was already proving he had the skills, but could he translate them to real-world racing?
Fast forward to today: Byron isn’t just a former iRacing prodigy—he’s one of NASCAR’s brightest stars. At just 26 years old, he has already won the Daytona 500, claimed 13 Cup victories, and cemented himself as a title contender for years to come. And he’s doing it all behind the wheel of one of the most iconic numbers in NASCAR history—the No. 24.
Racing for Hendrick: “It’s Like Being on the Yankees”
The No. 24 car is synonymous with Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR champion and one of the sport’s greatest legends. Taking over that seat at Hendrick Motorsports isn’t just an honor—it’s a responsibility.
Byron summed it up perfectly in his conversation with Kevin Harvick on Happy Hour:
“It just has the history, and you feel a sort of responsibility to win. It never goes away… There’s always that expectation, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Byron’s Yankees comparison speaks volumes about the pressure that comes with driving for Hendrick Motorsports. Just like a player stepping onto the field for baseball’s most historic franchise, Byron knows every race is an opportunity to add to the No. 24’s legacy—or fall short.
With Jeff Gordon’s 93 wins, 477 top-10s, and four championships, the bar is sky-high. But Byron isn’t shying away from the challenge—he’s embracing it.
Byron’s Journey: From Rookie of the Year to Daytona 500 Champion
Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2018, Byron’s career has been on an upward trajectory:
✅ 2018 – Wins Rookie of the Year honors.
✅ 2019 – Makes his first playoff appearance, advancing to the Round of 12.
✅ 2020 – Secures his first career Cup win at the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
✅ 2021 – Posts a career-best sixth-place finish in the points standings.
✅ 2024 – Wins the Daytona 500, giving the No. 24 its first Daytona victory since Jeff Gordon in 2005.
Byron’s Daytona 500 win was a full-circle moment for Hendrick Motorsports. The victory came exactly 40 years after the team’s very first race in the 1984 Daytona 500. Talk about destiny.
The Future: A Championship Contender in the Making?
With one of NASCAR’s best teams behind him, Byron is well on his way to becoming a legitimate title contender. His performance in 2024 showed he’s ready to take the next step, and 2025 could be his best season yet.
His love for Hendrick Motorsports is clear:
“I love driving there, and I feel like it’s a nice home for me.”
At just 26 years old, Byron’s journey is far from over. But one thing is certain—he’s not just filling Jeff Gordon’s shoes anymore. He’s creating his own legacy.