[autotag]William Byron[/autotag] has gone from iRacing to a Daytona 500 champion. On Monday night, Byron took the white flag as the leader with a wreck breaking out behind him. NASCAR threw the yellow flag, and the No. 24 car was barely ahead of teammate Alex Bowman at the time of the caution. Byron was then deemed the winner of the 2024 Daytona 500 for the first time.
Following Byron’s career-defining victory, he was asked how it felt to be a Daytona 500 champion. Needless to say, the Hendrick Motorsports driver was beyond excited about this victory and the opportunity to drive for the NASCAR organization.
“It sounds really damn good,” Byron said. “Thanks to an awesome crowd for coming out. I have so many emotions. Obviously hate what happened on that backstretch. I just got pushed and got sideways. But so proud of this team, whole AXALTA team, 40th anniversary to the day, on Monday.”
William Byron *barely* beat Alex Bowman to win the 2024 Daytona 500.
It’s Byron’s first Daytona 500 victory as the No. 24 car returns to victory lane in the Great American Race.
pic.twitter.com/8AduUkx5BC— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) February 20, 2024
“Just extremely blessed and thankful for all the opportunities, and we just want to keep it going. We have a lot to prove this year, and this is a good start, obviously. Daytona 500, it’s freaking awesome. Let’s go!”
Byron broke out for six victories during the 2023 NASCAR season and started the new campaign in perfect fashion. The No. 24 car has finally returned to victory lane at the Daytona 500 with one of the sport’s most talented drivers. Byron may only be 26 years old, but he is racing like a NASCAR veteran and now, a Daytona 500 champion.
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