William Byron: 2025 NASCAR Driver Profile

3. The No. 24 team has solid backing for the upcoming season. Led by Liberty University and Axalta (which has been with the team for three decades), Byron’s sponsor rotation includes some heavy hitters in Valvoline, HP and Raptor. Solid backing gives a team confidence, from the faith put into its ability as well as the equipment and personnel it affords them.

Byron makes the most of excellent equipment. His consistency belies his age with a career average finish of 15.2. His 12.9 average was tied for third in the Cup Series with Larson in 2024.

He’s also an excellent qualifier. His average start was 9.6 in 2024, making him one of just two drivers (Larson) with an average start inside the top 10. Strong starts mean fewer cars to pass to get to the front, which seems obvious, but the biggest advantage is that it reduces the risk of getting caught in the middle of the pack when trouble happens. Fewer passes mean fewer chances of tangling with another driver; it also reduces the likelihood of overdriving the car and creating an incident.

Byron is no one-trick pony. Six of his 13 career Cup wins have come on intermediate tracks, but he’s got trophies on his shelf from short tracks, road courses, and superspeedways.

William Byron career stats

However, the wins don’t tell the whole story. Byron is a sneaky competitor, reminiscent of Hall of Famer Matt Kenseth in how he approaches his races. He’s capable of winning just about everywhere, but he doesn’t have to win to make a statement. Byron may lie dormant all day, only to show his hand and rise up late in the final stage.

Those quality finishes add up. The playoff system means top 5s and top 10s may not equate to a title because that nearly always takes a win in the final race, but they are absolutely the best means of getting to the title race. Byron has been among the contenders the last two years because of that consistency. If he can put stealth mode aside at Phoenix, he can win it all.

One of these years, he will.

The William Byron file

Car: No. 24 Chevy

Team: Hendrick Motorsports

Crew chief: Rudy Fugle

Years with current team: 8

Best points finish: 3 (2023, ’24)

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Born: Nov. 19, 1997

Scouting report

Anonymous takes from drivers, crew chiefs, and assorted industry insiders

“William Byron is really good,” says a rival team owner. “He is the next new champion and it’s just a matter of it finally happening. I’m honestly surprised it hasn’t happened yet.

“Everyone sees the boyish good looks, that he’s clean cut, but he’s heavily involved in everything going on around that team. His car is always in the right spot, so he clearly pays attention to everything that’s ever happened to him. He’s always prepared.”

That’s how a lot of people in the sport feel. One veteran broadcaster echoed the sentiments: “I thought he would be a champion by now. It took him a while to find his footing. (Crew chief) Rudy (Fugle) was just the perfect fit for him and they took off together. He’s starting to validate everything I always felt about him. I love where he came from, love his family, and he’s going to win a lot of races. A championship will come with it eventually.”

“Byron races really clean and respectful,” says a fellow Cup driver. “He’s extremely talented. It’s been cool to see his success.”

Another team owner calls him “ruthless” and that no one would ever use that word unless they have raced against him, but, “He has that switch once they take the green flag; he is relentless and will just beat you down with every trick in the book.”