William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, is preparing to compete in the Daytona 500 on Sunday with hopes of becoming the first driver to win three straight editions of NASCAR’s signature event. Despite his recent success on superspeedways, Byron remains modest about his drafting skills. His track record includes two consecutive Daytona 500 wins and multiple strong finishes at superspeedway races, making him a prominent contender at Daytona International Speedway and beyond.
Byron Reflects on His Superspeedway Racing Journey
With five career wins on drafting tracks, including three at Daytona and two at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Byron has steadily built his reputation. His performance at Talladega Superspeedway also stands out, having finished in the top five five times in 16 starts. When discussing his technique on superspeedways, Byron admits there is still much to learn about mastering the draft.
I don’t know if I’ve figured it out,
Byron said about his superspeedway success.
We weren’t finishing at Daytona, and once we figured out a way to finish the races at Daytona, it seemed like it started to go the other way. You just try to do the best job you can, learning the little nuances of the draft. I don’t think I’m the best at drafting at the moment. I think there’s still more to learn.
?William Byron, NASCAR driver
Crew Chief Emphasizes the Historic Stakes of a Three-Peat
Rudy Fugle, Byron’s crew chief, recognizes the rarity and significance of achieving three consecutive Daytona 500 wins. He acknowledges the immense collective effort required backstage while noting the unpredictable nature of the event.
Everybody understands how cool it would be, how historic it would be to win three in a row,
Fugle explained.
We know a lot of that’s out of our control, but you’re still putting forth that amazing effort in every corner of the shop.
?Rudy Fugle, William Byron’s crew chief
Other Key Drivers Challenge for Daytona 500 Milestones
While Byron chases his historic three-peat, veteran driver Denny Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, aims to capture his fourth Daytona 500 victory. A fourth win would tie him with Cale Yarborough for the second-most wins in the event’s history, trailing only seven-time winner Richard Petty.
Every win that you get here puts you in a certain list,
Hamlin said.
The list is so small at that four number, it certainly was on my mind on the last lap last year when we were leading, that we are going to get another one.
?Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
I’ve just been really lucky to have the opportunities I’ve had to win these races, but also been very unfortunate in the NextGen era (starting in 2022) to not have won more. I feel as though the opportunity will be there, and hopefully we can put ourselves in position to move ourselves up that Daytona 500 winners board.
?Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Kyle Busch Aims to Break Statistical Barriers in Daytona Attempts
Kyle Busch secured the pole position for Sunday’s race in Wednesday night’s qualifying, setting the stage for his 21st Daytona 500 start. However, no driver has ever earned their first win at the Daytona 500 after more than 20 attempts—the late Dale Earnhardt broke the barrier in his 20th try back in 1998. Busch acknowledges this challenge but remains determined to clinch the first Harley J. Earl trophy of his career.
Yeah, it’s a box we’ve got to check,
Busch remarked.
Here we are. This is an opportunity to be able to do that. I’ve come down here a lot of years. I think I finished in about every position possible. It would be nice to close out 2026 with a victory here in the Daytona 500.
?Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
Historic Challenges Loom Over Front Row Starters
No driver has won the Daytona 500 starting from the front row since Dale Jarrett took the victory from the pole position in 2000, illustrating the difficulty of converting a strong starting spot into a race win. This fact adds another layer of challenge for Busch and others beginning the race up front this Sunday.
The Race’s Broader Significance for NASCAR
Sunday’s Daytona 500 presents a unique moment in NASCAR racing history, with William Byron poised to set an unprecedented record if he captures his third consecutive win. The race holds personal and professional weight for other longstanding competitors like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, both eager to escalate their careers with milestones at the sport’s most prestigious event. On the technical side, mastering superspeedway drafting remains a key factor that could sway the race outcome, leaving fans alert and hopeful for an intense, unpredictable showdown at Daytona International Speedway.
