William McComas Byron Jr. Bio
William McComas Byron Jr. (born November 29, 1997) is an American professional stock car racing driver competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. He drives the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports. Byron has earned multiple championships and Rookie of the Year honors across NASCAR’s national series and is a two-time Daytona 500 winner.
Early Life and Background
William Byron was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, the younger of two children to Bill and Dana Byron. He attended Charlotte Country Day School and took online classes through Liberty University, where he is currently pursuing a degree in business communication. Byron developed an interest in racing at age six after watching stock car races on television and attending a Martinsville Speedway event in 2006. As a teenager, he honed his skills on the iRacing simulator, achieving over 100 wins and nearly 300 top-five finishes in online competition.
Byron began racing Legends cars at age fifteen in 2012, winning 33 races and the Legend Car Young Lions Division championship that year. In 2014, he signed with JR Motorsports’ late model program and competed in the No. 9 Liberty University Chevrolet at Hickory Motor Speedway, finishing second in points with one victory and eleven top-five finishes.
Path to NASCAR
Byron’s professional career began in 2015 when he signed with HScott Motorsports to compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He won four races and the series championship that year. He also made his ARCA Racing Series debut, finishing second after leading 120 laps. In 2016, Byron joined Kyle Busch Motorsports for a full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he set a rookie record with seven wins and earned Rookie of the Year honors.
In 2017, Byron moved to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports, winning four races and the series championship while also earning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award. His success in the lower series paved the way for his promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports in 2018.
William Byron Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Byron’s early career featured rapid progression through NASCAR’s developmental ranks. After dominating the K&N Pro Series East in 2015, he transitioned to the Truck Series in 2016, where he won seven races, breaking the rookie win record. His performance earned him Rookie of the Year honors and a fifth-place finish in the standings. In 2017, he competed full-time in the Xfinity Series, securing four wins and the championship, demonstrating his readiness for the top level.
NASCAR Cup Series Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Byron debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2018 with Hendrick Motorsports, driving the iconic No. 24 car. He won the Rookie of the Year award that season, becoming the second driver to win Rookie of the Year honors in all three national series consecutively. In 2019, he won the pole for the Daytona 500 and made the playoffs for the first time, advancing to the Round of 12.
His first Cup Series victory came in 2020 at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, where he won in overtime and secured a playoff spot. The 2021 season saw Byron achieve his first win at Homestead-Miami Speedway and finish a career-high tenth in points. In 2022, he won races at Atlanta and Martinsville and earned a contract extension through 2025. Despite some controversies and penalties, Byron finished sixth in the standings that year.
In 2023, Byron won multiple races, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Darlington, Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Texas, finishing third in the final points standings. He faced penalties related to car inspections but maintained strong performance throughout the season. In 2024, Byron won the Daytona 500, marking the first No. 24 victory in the event since 2005 and Hendrick Motorsports’ first since 2014. He also won at Circuit of the Americas and Martinsville, securing a spot in the Championship 4 and finishing third in the championship race.
Byron began the 2025 season by winning his second consecutive Daytona 500, becoming the fifth driver in history to do so. He earned a contract extension through 2029 and secured wins at Iowa and Martinsville, advancing to the Championship 4 once again.
Hendrick Motorsports Era (2018–Present)
Byron’s tenure with Hendrick Motorsports has been marked by steady growth and significant achievements. Driving the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 under crew chief Rudy Fugle, he has become a consistent contender in the Cup Series. His partnership with Hendrick has yielded multiple wins, including prestigious events like the Daytona 500 and key playoff victories. The team extended his contract through 2029, reflecting confidence in his talent and future potential.
Driving Style and Strengths
William Byron is known for his strong performance on superspeedways and intermediate tracks, demonstrating excellent race craft and strategic acumen. His ability to avoid wrecks and capitalize on late-race opportunities has contributed to his success in overtime finishes and playoff races. His collaboration with crew chief Rudy Fugle has been instrumental in refining his race strategies and car setups.
Notable Races and Milestones
Byron’s signature achievements include back-to-back Daytona 500 wins in 2024 and 2025, a rare feat in NASCAR history. He is also the 12th driver to win a NASCAR race in all three national series at the same track. His 2023 victory at Texas marked Hendrick Motorsports’ 300th Cup Series win. Byron has consistently performed well at Martinsville, Atlanta, and Darlington, tracks where he has multiple wins and strong finishes.
William Byron Career Wins
William Byron has accumulated numerous wins across NASCAR’s national series, showcasing his versatility and competitiveness. His victories span the K&N Pro Series East, Camping World Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and the premier Cup Series, including marquee events like the Daytona 500.
NASCAR Cup Series Highlights
Byron’s Cup Series wins include the 2020 Coke Zero Sugar 400 and consecutive Daytona 500 victories in 2024 and 2025. He has multiple wins in the 2023 season, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Darlington, Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Texas. His playoff performances have been strong, with multiple appearances in the Championship 4 and a regular-season championship in 2025.
Other Wins & Performances
In the Truck Series, Byron set a rookie record with seven wins in 2016, earning Rookie of the Year honors. He won the 2015 K&N Pro Series East Championship with four race victories. Byron also claimed the 2017 Xfinity Series Championship with four wins, demonstrating his rapid ascent through NASCAR’s ranks.
William Byron Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
William Byron is the son of Bill and Dana Byron and has an older sister named Kathryn. His family has supported his racing career from an early age, assisting in his transition from simulator racing to real cars. His upbringing in Charlotte, a hub for NASCAR, provided a conducive environment for his motorsports ambitions.
Personal Life
Byron is in a relationship with Hailey McGregor. He is a committed Christian and an Eagle Scout, often expressing that his faith plays a significant role in his life and career. In 2021, he publicly shared his mother’s battle with a brain tumor and her subsequent recovery. Byron balances his racing career with his education, pursuing a college degree while competing at the highest levels of NASCAR.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a continuation of William Byron’s upward trajectory in NASCAR. He started the year by winning the Daytona 500 for the second consecutive time, joining an elite group of drivers with back-to-back victories in the event. His consistent performance earned him a contract extension through 2029, underscoring Hendrick Motorsports’ commitment to his future.
Byron secured additional wins at Iowa and Martinsville during the season, demonstrating versatility across different track types. His playoff campaign was strong, culminating in a victory at Martinsville that secured his place in the Championship 4. Byron remains a top contender for the NASCAR Cup Series title, with momentum and team support positioning him well for championship success.
