William Byron captured the checkered flag in Monday’s long-awaited Daytona 500, securing his first career win in the “Great American Race.” The victory ended Hendrick Motorsports’ nine-year drought in NASCAR’s premier event.
As Byron took the white flag for the final lap, a major crash triggered caution flags behind him. Unsure whether he officially won, the 26-year-old cautiously navigated the iconic Daytona International Speedway while awaiting confirmation.
“Did we win it? Did we win it?” a nervous Byron asked over the radio. When his crew chief finally responded, the Hendrick team became euphoric.
The win comes precisely 40 years after team owner Rick Hendrick recorded his first-ever NASCAR Cup victory. “You couldn’t write the script any better,” Hendrick raved. “To win this on the 40th, to the day, it’s just awesome.”
Sunday’s race endured heavy rain, forcing postponement to Monday. However, the long-awaited victory for Byron caps years of dedication to honing his driving skills on at-home simulation technology.
“I’m just a kid from racing on computers and winning the Daytona 500, I can’t believe it,” an awestruck Byron reflected.
In the final frenetic laps, Byron battled rival Ross Chastain intensely for the lead. Navigating chaos behind him, Byron held strong as the caution froze the field, cementing his breakthrough win.
The victory continues Hendrick Motorsports’ dominance at the Daytona 500, now tied for most ever by a team. It also further cements Byron among racing’s brightest young stars.
“William Byron was already a superstar, and I mean, he just went to another level of being superstar,” Hendrick vice president Jeff Gordon, a three-time Daytona champion himself, said after the race.
Sunday’s long rain delays had enabled dramatic, behind-the-scenes developments in the sport. NASCAR team owners revealed hiring a top legal expert to advise them in an escalating financial dispute with the sanctioning body.
Still, the postponement couldn’t dampen festivities once engines finally fired on Monday. The event still featured star power like grand marshal Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Plus, the patience of fans and competitors alike paid off spectacularly. The tension-filled finish and ensuing celebration produced an uplifting experience after the weather had seemingly jeopardized it all.
Byron may now carry his early-season momentum toward a potential campaign for the championship.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.