NASCAR

Byron sweeps both stages en route to Phoenix victory

Motorsport Technology
2 weeks ago
4 min read

For William Byron, a near perfect weekend at Martinsville Speedway means the Hendrick Motorsports driver retains hopes of ultimate NASCAR championship glory.

Having claimed the pole position, there was no let up from the Charlotte native, Byron heading home Blaney and Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott as Kyle Larson rounded off an excellent weekend in fifth.

“I think I’m just thankful to have good people around me and a good team. Definitely, the last two weeks were very depressing because there was no result,” Byron is quoted on the official Hendrick website. “Our team could have gone one (of) two ways: We could have been like, ‘Vegas didn’t go well. Talladega we had a shot to win. Whatever happens at Martinsville …’ But we came here on offense.

“I think that’s what I’m super proud of. It was a very freeing position to be in, having to race to win, not like the last couple of years where you had to count points. That freed me up inside the car as well. I think our team just put everything out there this weekend. It was the ultimate test for our group, the ultimate one we’ve been through yet. That was pretty cool to see.”

THE TALE OF THE RACE VIA HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS OFFICIAL

Even within the 500 laps run on Sunday, Byron and the 24 team showed that maturity and pedigree. Prior to stage three, things had gone swimmingly with Byron dominating the early going and winning the first two stages.

However, a bit of fuel strategy flipped the field around to begin the final segment with Ryan Blaney, winner of the last two Martinsville fall races, grabbing the lead and running away. For awhile.

But over time, Byron was able to carve his way back through traffic and continue his pursuit of Blaney, ultimately completing a pass with 43 laps remaining to take the point once again.

A caution waved with 16 circuits remaining, necessitating one, final stop for the 24 pit crew, a test it passed with flying colors. And when the green flag dropped again with 11 to go, there was no stopping Byron who powered past Blaney a final time on the side-by-side restart and cruised into the sunset.

Most importantly, Byron had just punched his ticket into the Championship 4 in the most dramatic fashion possible and did it by running Blaney down and passing him for the lead at Martinsville, a feat as tough as any in recent years.

“I think it’s important to reflect,” Byron added. “I feel like I’m very analytical, some people could say, introspective. I’m probably going to think about all the things that happened. All the moves. I’m going to try to remember the good things. A lot of times your mind doesn’t really remember the good things because they’re a little bit subconscious.

“Yeah, it will be hard to remember exactly how it played out, but I’ll try to. I think I will also try to move past and get ready for Phoenix, honestly. Just manage my week. Just manage every opportunity I have to get better. Just try to learn as much as I can.”

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