William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevy, is considered one of the brightest talents of his generation and a future star for the next decade of motorsport. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is currently in the form of his life in the Next-Gen era, securing multiple race wins throughout the season with the new car, including two Daytona 500 victories. However, the road to consistent success has not been easy for him.
Despite his impressive performance, Byron has faced some challenging moments in several races, which have made him a stronger and more resilient driver. In a recent interview with The Athletic, Byron revealed the toughest moments he has experienced inside a race car. It was the 2020 Daytona Road Course race and the 2023 Martinsville playoff race that presented him with the greatest challenges.
Byron’s Toughest Moments on Track
“Whenever it’s really hot, there are a couple of races that stand out. The Daytona road course in 2020 was really bad. And then Martinsville (in the 2023 playoff race) when I got overheated, that was one of the hardest ones. I just wanted to get out, I felt claustrophobic,” said Byron.
The extreme heat and the claustrophobic feeling during those races were especially taxing for the driver. Even today, Byron is amazed that he managed to finish those races. He believes the rain delay that cooled off the weather in Daytona played a significant role in helping him continue. Had the temperature not cooled to his liking, the No. 24 car may have been parked earlier.
“Daytona was so hot that I don’t know if a lot of us would have made it to the end. It was that warm. But we had a rain delay, and then the weather cooled off after that. It was still humid, but it wasn’t as hot. It was like 105 and humid before the break, and guys would have definitely had some trouble (making it to the finish),” Byron added.
A Memorable Autograph from Kenny Wallace
In addition to his challenges on track, Byron shared a memorable story from his childhood that influenced his racing career. He revealed the most memorable autograph he received as a child, which was from former Cup and Xfinity Series driver Kenny Wallace, who is now one of the sport’s most influential media personalities.
Byron had the opportunity to meet Wallace during the NASCAR RaceDay show, where hosts interacted with fans in a College GameDay-style atmosphere. Byron loved the experience, and getting Wallace’s autograph made the moment even more special.
“Kenny Wallace when he was doing ‘NASCAR RaceDay’ (on Speed Channel). I was in the crowd. I loved that show. That was just a great show. I feel like we should bring that back. That was such a good vibe, and everyone was so into it,” said Byron.
This experience not only left a lasting impression on him but also inspired Byron to pursue his career and value the connection with fans. As one of the biggest personalities in the NASCAR garage, Byron has expressed his desire to see the show return so that the current generation of fans can experience that same positive energy.
A Call to Action: Bringing Back “NASCAR RaceDay”
Byron not only recalls the NASCAR RaceDay show with fondness but has also called for its return to revitalize the fan experience. With his growing popularity and influence in the sport, the No. 24 driver may have the ability to make his wish come true and bring back a show that meant so much to an entire generation.
In conclusion, William Byron is not only a driver who has proven his ability to overcome challenges on track, but he is also a role model for the new generation. With his recent successes and his vision of reviving shows like NASCAR RaceDay, Byron is beginning to leave an indelible mark both on and off the track, making him a key figure for the future of NASCAR. Without a doubt, this young driver has much more to offer to motorsport, and with his determination, the sky is the limit for his career.
