In 2023, William Byron had a breakthrough year, and the prospects for 2024 appear even more promising, indicating the potential for further significant achievements in his career.

Securing six wins in the previous NASCAR Cup Series season, William Byron achieved the pinnacle of his career on Monday evening by winning the 66th annual Daytona 500, initiating the 2024 season in grand fashion.

Approaching the white flag at Daytona International Speedway in his No. 24 Chevrolet, Byron faced a last-lap crash that prompted a caution flag to be raised. Following a review of the events, NASCAR officials determined that the 26-year-old managed to edge out his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman for the checkered flag.

"Just extremely blessed and thankful for all the opportunities, now just want to keep it going," Byron said after exiting his car. "We have a lot to prove this year, and this is a good start obviously. Daytona 500, it’s freaking awesome!"

The first and second-place finish added an extra layer of significance to an already memorable day for team owner Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman, Jeff Gordon. Gordon, renowned for driving the No. 24 Hendrick Chevrolet, secured three Daytona 500 wins and four NASCAR Cup Series championships in the past.

Marking the 40th anniversary of Hendrick Motorsports' inaugural race, Byron's victory in the Daytona 500 not only provided the team owner with a record-tying nine victories but also made Byron the sixth different driver to achieve this for Hendrick Motorsports, breaking a nine-year streak without a Daytona 500 win for the team.

Byron's triumph on Monday represented his 11th victory in the Cup Series since 2018. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Byron reached the NASCAR championship race in 2023, securing a fourth-place finish in the race and landing third in the final standings. His performance trailed behind champion Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson, who clinched the 2021 title as a driver for Hendrick.

Looking ahead, Byron aims to follow in the footsteps of Larson and the 2020 Cup Series champion, Chase Elliott, as he strives to secure another season title for NASCAR's most accomplished owner in the next 35 races.

Team Penske and Ford faced a notably challenging conclusion as they encountered two late crashes involving multiple Daytona 500 contenders. The first crash, happening with eight laps remaining, resulted in the elimination of pole-sitter and 2015 winner Joey Logano, along with Blaney and others, in a significant 18-car collision. The final crash affected the 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric, who was in a position to secure another victory on the penultimate lap before the wreck thwarted both his and Penske's hopes for a celebration in the victory lane.

"It’s just a really unfortunate end. We had a shot to win the Daytona 500," Cindric said. "We were really in great position with the outside lane breaking up and kind of one-on-one with the 24 with the whole pack behind, so you can’t really ask for anything else other than that out of myself and the team. It just sucks a little bit.”

Securing the 22nd position, Cindric, along with Blaney in 30th and Logano in 32nd, experienced varied outcomes. Notably, Noah Gragson, driving the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10, achieved the best finish for Ford, claiming the ninth spot. Christopher Bell from Joe Gibbs Racing secured third place, leading the Toyota drivers.

“Honestly, we got really fortunate – with those two wrecks, you know," Bell said. "Being on the bottom lane, I was able to squeeze by that last wreck. We had an awesome Interstate Batteries DEWALT Camry. ... When we had track position, we were fast."

Byron narrowly surpassed his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman as a crash unfolded just as Byron approached the white flag for the last lap. In response, officials promptly raised a caution flag, and the checkered flag ensued, marking Byron's inaugural Daytona 500 victory.

Following a significant crash that disrupted the race with eight laps to go, the event resumed with only four laps remaining, with Byron and Ross Chastain leading two substantial groups. Approaching the end of the second-to-last lap, Chastain attempted to move ahead of 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric to reclaim the lead in the inside lane. However, Chastain's No. 1 Chevrolet collided with Cindric's No. 2 Ford, triggering a crash and prompting the final caution just as the final lap commenced.

2024 Daytona 500 final results

Result of the last-lap collision involving Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric, NASCAR unveiled the conclusive outcomes of the 2024 Daytona 500, highlighting the presence of some lesser-known drivers who secured top-10 finishes:

⚫ William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet

⚫ Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet

⚫ Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota

⚫ Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Chevrolet

⚫ Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota

⚫ AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet

⚫ John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota

⚫ Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota

⚫ Noah Gragson, No. 10 Ford

⚫ Chase Briscoe No. 14 Ford

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