Despite starting P18 on Sunday, William Byron was able to move up through the field to win at Martinsville, impressing Jeff Gordon. This 24 car has not looked this good since Gordon was in NASCAR.
All three of William Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates qualified in the top-10. So, how did he make his way up through the field, passing when others couldn’t? That might just be who Byron is, how his car was set up, or the pit strategy that Rudy Fugle gave his driver.
After the race, Jeff Gordon was asked about Byron’s performance. He isn’t sure why passing came easier for him than others. However, he was once again praising his driver for what he was able to do on the track.
“Well, I wouldn’t call it that easy,” Gordon said to the media. “I was sitting down there in turns one and two. I was on the 5 box today. Had a great view of it. I saw how William was driving, everybody driving through there.”
Jeff Gordon pointed to the pit crew, which has been one of the best in the Cup Series the last two seasons. He also gave credit to Rudy Fugle, Byron’s crew chief. It was Fugle who brought Byron down to pit road early on the green flag pit stops and jumped him to the lead.
“I think William had been working all day long searching for different lines. I think it really showed up there after that green flag stop. He was able to turn underneath some guys and clear them. Right then, I knew his car was good. But wow, I was super impressed.
“Then I thought he’s going to burn the tires off of it. He’s going too hard, stretched it out too far. The 11 started putting heat on the 5. Here comes the 12. We were in lap traffic. 50-something to go. I went from 60 to go, getting emotional to 50 to go going, ‘Oh, God, we’re not going to win this.’
“He did an incredible job working traffic and keeping the tires on it. He’s just driving with confidence right now, using his abilities. It’s fun to watch.”
Check out the full response from Jeff Gordon in the video below from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.
William Byron led a Hendrick 1-2-3 to the finish line. When the year started, it was unclear which Hendrick driver would step up to the plate. Well, Byron has three wins and isn’t looking back.
While other drivers have been consistent this year, Byron has put himself in position to win on an almost weekly basis. Jeff Gordon knows what it’s like to be on a heater in the Cup Series. Will his driver keep racking up the wins this season?
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