What seemed like an unlikely repeat became reality for William Byron on Sunday as he secured his second consecutive Daytona 500 win. Byron, who shocked many by winning the prestigious race last year, found himself in a relatively quiet position during most of the race’s closing laps. However, as the race approached its final moments, an unexpected turn of events allowed him to surge to the front and clinch the win.
Byron’s victory in the 2024 Daytona 500 marked a historic moment, as the 27-year-old became the youngest driver to win the event twice. The previous record was held by NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon, who had set the mark years earlier. In a post-race interview, Byron was quick to express his excitement, saying, “Last year’s win brought me to tears. This year’s brought me to laughter.” His surprise at the turn of events was clear, as few could have predicted his late-race charge.
The final laps of the race were filled with dramatic moments that reshaped the leaderboard and opened the door for Byron. As Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon said, “The seas parted” for Byron, highlighting how quickly the race’s dynamics shifted in his favor. His crew chief, Rudy Fugle, admitted that even he was stunned when he saw Byron leading. “I just looked up and saw him ahead,” Fugle said. “I have no idea how that happened.”
Byron’s strategy during the race was largely focused on staying out of trouble. While several other drivers contended for the lead throughout the event, Byron quietly maintained a position in the middle of the pack. He wasn’t a constant fixture at the front but knew how to maneuver when it mattered most. His calmness in navigating the chaos of Daytona ultimately proved to be a key factor in his success.
Throughout the race, the front pack generated plenty of excitement, with drivers like Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace grabbing attention for their aggressive moves and thrilling battles. However, Byron kept a low profile, letting others take the riskier moves while he waited for an opening. That strategy seemed to pay off as crashes and wrecks opened up opportunities in the closing laps.
The biggest wreck of the day occurred with just four laps to go, when Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin were racing for the lead. Bell, with Cole Custer pushing him, lost control of his car and slammed into the wall. The resulting collision sent Ryan Preece’s car airborne in a terrifying, motorcycle-like flip before landing on its wheels. Several other cars were involved in the crash, and the race was halted for cleanup, setting up a dramatic overtime finish.
When the race resumed, Cindric and Custer quickly passed Hamlin, who was in pursuit of his fourth Daytona 500 win. Meanwhile, Byron, who had been running in ninth place, stayed calm and avoided further calamity as multiple cars were involved in another wreck during the final lap. As the smoke cleared, Byron found himself leading the race after taking the outside lane away from the chaos.
Tyler Reddick made a valiant push in the final seconds but could not catch Byron, who crossed the finish line 0.113 seconds ahead. The race ended under caution after another wreck involving multiple cars, but the dramatic finish allowed Byron to clinch the win and etch his name in the history books as the youngest two-time Daytona 500 winner.
Among the top finishers, Jimmie Johnson took third place, while pole-sitter Chase Briscoe finished fourth. John Hunter Nemechek rounded out the top five. However, the most memorable moments of the day were the crashes and wrecks that reshaped the race. These included the fierce battles between Cindric, Logano, and others, which ultimately led to Byron taking the lead.
Logano, who had been a dominant force throughout the race, played a pivotal role in one of the night’s biggest wrecks. He attempted to pass in the middle lane but made contact with Ricky Stenhouse, setting off a chain reaction that left several top drivers with damaged cars. Logano himself was frustrated by the outcome, explaining his intention to advance and the miscommunication that led to the crash.
Kyle Busch, another strong contender in the race, expressed his displeasure with Logano’s move. Busch, who was hoping to break his 19-year drought in the Daytona 500, felt that Logano was too aggressive and ultimately cost him a chance at victory. “The Penske cars were very strong, but Joey made a move through the middle that wasn’t there,” Busch said.
As the race came to an end, the Daytona 500’s chaotic nature was on full display. From multiple wrecks to unexpected shifts in the leaderboard, it was a race that kept everyone on the edge of their seat. The weather also played a role, with long rain delays that pushed the event into the night. Even President Donald Trump made an appearance, circling the track in front of the field before the race began.
Byron’s victory, which came as a result of a mix of strategic patience and pure luck, will go down as one of the most unexpected and thrilling in recent Daytona 500 history. His ability to avoid trouble while others were caught in wrecks shows a level of maturity and poise that has earned him respect among his peers. This win, which marks a significant milestone in his career, sets Byron up for even greater success as he continues to solidify his place in NASCAR’s elite.