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WILLIAM BYRON
NO. 24 AXALTA 40TH ANNIVERSARY CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1
April 7, 2024
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway
Started: 18th
Finished: 1st
SPEED READ
During Saturday’s practice and qualifying at Martinsville Speedway, William Byron showed long run speed before going on to qualify 18th in in the No. 24 Axalta 40th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The Charlotte, North Carolina, native was able to make his way through traffic to score stage points in the opening stage, crossing the line in eighth
As rubber was laid down on the track, the handling of the No. 24 swung to the tight side but Byron was able to still score stage points, finishing stage two in eighth.
Using pit strategy and adjustments to the handling of his Chevy, Byron battled to take over the lead on lap 327 and never looked back. Even with an overtime attempt to end the event, Byron maintained the control position, scoring his third win of 2024
After the race at Martinsville Speedway, Byron moved his way up to be tied for fourth in the driver point standings, 48 points behind the leader
RECAPPING THE RACE
When the NASCAR Cup Series hit the track on Saturday at Martinsville Speedway, William Byron showed long run speed during practice before going on to qualify 18th in the No. 24 Axalta 40th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. When the field went green Sunday, Byron wasted no time working his way through traffic, reaching the top-10 running order at the halfway point in the opening stage. Continuing to march his way through the field, the 26-year-old driver reached the eighth position by the time the green-checkered flag was displayed at the end of stage one. Liking the handling of his No. 24 Axalta Chevy, Byron came down pit road under the stage break for four tires and fuel.
Electing to take the low lane for the start of stage two, Byron rolled off from seventh and maintained that position during the run. As a long green-flag stint ensued, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native radioed to his team that he was progressively getting tighter, especially in traffic. Despite the handling woes, Byron was able to hold on to his top-10 position, scoring stage points in eighth at the end of stage two. Crew chief Rudy Fugle called his driver down pit road under the stage break for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment.
Restarting from eighth for the final stage, Byron quickly picked up two positions, reaching sixth after the field went back green. He continued to work his way through the field, moving into the top five on lap 231. Byron maintained his track position until Fugle called his driver down pit road under green on lap 291 for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Rejoining the field while green-flag pit stops continued, Byron ultimately found himself battling his Hendrick Motorsports teammates for what would become the top spot once the pit cycle was complete. Once the field had made their pit stops, Byron took over the lead on lap 327 and didn’t look back. Working through heavy lap traffic, the driver of the No. 24 was diligent in his efforts, extending his lead as the laps dwindled down. However, with just two laps to go, the caution came out, setting up an attempt at a green-white-checkered finish. Lining up on the inside of the front row, Byron maintained his lead and held on in the remaining laps to capture his third win of the 2024 Cup Series season.
Byron was able to hold on in overtime to capture the historical win for Hendrick Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway. Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott were close behind to finish second and third and complete the top-three sweep for the organization. Alex Bowman also scored a top-10 result, crossing the finish line in the eighth position Sunday.
QUOTING WILLIAM BYRON:
HOW SPECIAL IS THIS TO YOU TO DELIVER THIS WIN TO EVERYONE AT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS?
“Yeah, it’s awesome and it’s way bigger than me. There are so many men and women that this is a tribute to with all the hard work in the shop. It’s just a really good environment to work in. They have built something so special over the years, and I am thankful to be a part of it and drive the No. 24. It’s pretty special.”
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE PATIENCE YOU HAD TO COME FROM 18TH TO CONTEND FOR THE LEAD?
“It wasn’t pretty. The first stage, we were pretty good - coming from the back and getting up to eighth or ninth. And then we stalled out. We had a couple of pit stops not go our way and then we got too tight. We just had to keep working on that and we eventually got this No. 24 Axalta Chevy where it needed to be; get it turning and doing what it needed to do. Just really proud of the team.”
WHAT DID YOU TELL YOURSELF AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THAT GREEN – WHITE - CHECKERED?
“I knew the shot was going to come from behind and that is just the way it is here. I used a little bit more of the racetrack in (turns) one and two to make sure I could get clear off of two and he gave me a shot over there. We raced pretty clean. He gave me a chance to make the corner and that is all you can ask for.”
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