Next up on this countdown is the Cup Series wins leader from 2023. With 6 wins, William Byron and the #24 Hendrick Motorsports team had a breakout season. Plus, the 24 car made the Championship Four for the first time since Jeff Gordon in 2015. While 2023 was a great season for the team, 2024 is an opportunity to back up what they did. Now that there are 38 Days to Daytona, it is time to preview the season for the #24 Hendrick Motorsports entry.
#24 Hendrick Motorsports
Driver: William Byron
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Sponsors: Liberty University, HP, Valvoline, RaptorTough.Com, Axalta
2024 Season Preview
Back Up a Strong Season
William Byron’s breakout season in 2023 was unexpected. While Byron had won at least one race each of the previous 3 seasons, no one could have predicted a 6 win effort from him. Now, the question is whether that was a one-off or a trend of what is to come. Byron is racing some of NASCAR’s best equipment. A multi-win season each year is not crazy to imagine.
Adjust to the Track
Despite winning 6 races last season, there was a worrisome trend that occurred almost every race weekend. Usually, the 24 car would unload as one of the fastest cars on track. Byron would either lead early or run within the Top-3. As the race dragged on, other teams would find speed and surpass Byron. Byron would go from a Top-3 run to anywhere from fifth to tenth. For his wins, Byron would usually luck out with a late race caution. If William Byron and his team are going to be a dominate force, they will have to break that trend in 2024.
Overcome the Short Track Issues
While Kyle Larson flashed speed at the short tracks, William Byron struggled. He had three finishes outside the Top-20 at short tracks and only one Top-10 (ninth at Bristol). With two more short tracks on the schedule this year, Byron will need to find more speed to have a chance at the regular season championship.
Daytona 500 Chances
Arguably, William Byron is the best superspeedway driver in the Hendrick Motorsports lineup. Atlanta seems to be his bread and butter, but he has shown solid speed at Daytona. However, Byron’s luck at Daytona might be worse than Larson’s. In his 12 starts at the track, Byron has 7 DNFs due to crashing out. Along with those 7 DNFs are 2 finishes off the lead lap. However, when Byron does finish on the lead lap, his average finish is 3.7 with a win. Those 3 lead lap finishes all came during the summer race though.
Speedweeks Outlook
Once again, the Hendrick cars should qualify well for the Daytona 500 on that Wednesday. William Byron has qualified on the front row for the 500 twice in his career. If he does not qualify on the front row, Byron will be a threat to win his duel since he won a duel race back in 2020. As for the Daytona 500, history tells us to expect him behind the wall before the end of the race. Could 2024 be different? Maybe, but the safe money seems to point to another DNF for William Byron.
Previous Days
40 Days: #12 Team Penske
39 Days: #5 Hendrick Motorsports
