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Daytona 500 Defending Winner William Byron to Race Backup Car After Duel Wreck

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 9:22 PM ET

For William Byron, that last wreck in the Daytona Duel No. 1 was too much. He took a pretty good hit, and it didn't look like the car would be salvageable when it happened. Hendrick Motorsports made the decision to go to the backup.

Winning three straight Daytona 500s is no easy task. William Byron will have to try and get it done with a backup car, which is not ideal. Still, it is Daytona, and as long as the car handles good in the draft and doesn't mind being pushed, Byron has a chance.

Then again, if you're a Byron fan, this might feel like deja vu. Byron wrecked his car in the Duel race in 2024 before going to a backup for the Daytona 500. He won his first race in a backup, can he win a third in a row?

NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) heads into the drivers meeting at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Good news is that William Byron was released from the infield care center. These wrecks at Daytona feel routine now, and the safety equipment is so much better than 20 years ago. Still, those wrecks hurt, and drivers can still get injured at these tracks.

For William Byron, I can't imagine this will shake him too much. As mentioned before, he has been able to race a backup to the win in the past. Why not do it again? With how much talent Byron has, there is no doubting him on the race track.

Hendrick Motorsports has a great crew to get this other car prepared. The only downside is pit selection and starting position. Once the race starts, that will go out the window, too. Does Byron have what it takes to win a third straight Daytona 500?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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