Byron Wins 2024 Daytona 500 Breaking Hendrick's Nine-race Losing Streak; He Tops The NASCAR 2024 Rankings
Experience the thrilling victory as William Byron wins 2024 Daytona 500 breaking Hendrick's drought. Byron's win marks a milestone for Hendrick Motorsports, ending a nine-race losing streak. Dive into the excitement as Byron clinches the victory under caution, securing the top spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings.
Author:Rhyley CarneyReviewer:Paula M. GrahamFeb 22, 20244.7K Shares67.8K Views
William Byron wins 2024 Daytona 500fulfilling his goal of securing a victory for Hendrick Motorsports, marking the team's 40th-anniversary season. The win ended Hendrick's nine-race losing streak in the prestigious event.
Byron's triumph was not without suspense, as he crossed the finish line under caution due to a crash behind him. The uncertainty lingered until confirmation over the radio from emotional crew chief Rudy Fugle. Reflecting on the moment, Byron shared, "Did we actually win or not?"
The significance of the victory was not lost on team owner Rick Hendrick, who celebrated his first Cup win 40 years ago at Daytona. "You couldn't write the script any better. To win this on the 40th, to the day, it's just awesome," Hendrick expressed.
This win tied Hendrick Motorsports with Petty Enterprises for the most Daytona 500 victories in NASCAR history.
Hendrick's Milestone Victory
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick vice chairman, emphasized Byron's elevated status, stating, "William Byron was already a superstar, and I mean, he just went to another level of being a superstar." The victory propelled Byron into the spotlight, capping his self-taught journey from racing on computers to winning the Daytona 500.
The final laps saw intense competition, with teammate Alex Bowman triggering a late crash that set the stage for Byron's triumph. The 23-car crash led to a red flag delay, adding drama to the race's conclusion.
Byron's win, followed by Bowman, secured a 1-2 sweep for Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports. The victory underscored the team's dominance in the Daytona 500, with the last Hendrick driver to win being Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2014.
2024 NASCAR Power Rankings After Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 victory propelled William Byron to the top of the NASCAR Power Rankings for the 2024 season. Here's a snapshot of the rankings following the Daytona event:
1. William Byron (Last week: 4) -Byron's Daytona 500 win, a career-defining moment, catapulted him to the top spot. The victory holds particular significance, considering it is by far his most significant triumph.
2. Denny Hamlin (LW: 1) -Despite late-race challenges, Hamlin remains a strong contender, showcasing his presence during Daytona week.
3. Ross Chastain (LW: 8) - Chastain's impressive performance, even amid a crash on the final lap, positions him as a noteworthy competitor at Daytona.
4. Kyle Busch (LW: 5) -Busch's typical Daytona storyline unfolded, mixing moments at the front with challenges that led to a 12th-place finish.
5. Ryan Blaney (LW: 2) - A forgettable Daytona for Blaney with crashes in both duels and the 500, yet he remained in the mix with notable laps led.
6. Christopher Bell (LW: 7) - Bell's solid week, including a win in his duel and a third-place finish in the 500, showcases his potential beyond mere luck.
7. Kyle Larson (LW: 3) - Larson's 11th-place finish at Daytona positions him for improvement in upcoming races on his stronger circuits.
8. Brad Keselowski (LW: 6) -Caught in the Daytona chaos, Keselowski expresses frustration over a strong car that didn't translate into the desired result.
9. Alex Bowman (LW: NR) - Bowman's second-place finish at Daytona marks a positive start after a disappointing 2023 season.
10. Joey Logano (LW: NR) - Despite leading 45 laps, Logano's Daytona ended prematurely due to a crash, setting the stage for the upcoming race in Atlanta.
Rhyley Carney
Author
Paula M. Graham
Reviewer
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