The final race of the 2025 Cup Series regular season will take place this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, deciding the 16 drivers advancing to the postseason. After securing the regular-season championship at Richmond Raceway, William Byron has pledged to support his Chevrolet teammates, including Alex Bowman, who is still striving to lock in a playoff spot.
Byron, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports, finished 12th at Richmond to clinch the regular-season title. With little to gain individually at Daytona and the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing, he has set his focus on assisting his Chevrolet allies in their playoff pursuits.
When questioned about helping Bowman, Byron stated,
“Yeah, I mean, I’m definitely going to try to help all those guys at Daytona. Just the Chevrolets in general. That’s your best bet. Going through the Playoffs, I’ve learned that. You just have to have allies.”
—William Byron, Driver
His commitment to teamwork reflects an understanding of the importance of finding the right drafting partners on a track like Daytona. Besides Bowman, Byron’s collaboration could also benefit other Chevrolet drivers aiming to advance, such as Kyle Busch, Carson Hocevar, Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Daniel Suarez.
Byron’s Path to the Regular Season Title
While William Byron hasn’t amassed as many wins as some contenders like Denny Hamlin or Shane van Gisbergen this year, his steady accumulation of stage points has kept him consistently near the top of the standings. At Richmond, his 12th-place finish along with earning two points for a ninth-place finish in Stage 2 secured his lead.
This point total was enough to guarantee Byron the regular-season championship before the final race at Daytona. Reflecting on the achievement, he told NBC Sports,
“It feels really good to check this one off the list. We kind of had that in the back of our minds this year, just to be consistent. And even through some adversity, we were consistently fast and just up at the front.”
—William Byron, Driver
Byron’s season stats include two victories, nine top-five finishes, thirteen top-10 finishes, three races that ended prematurely, and an average finishing position of 13.68. His consistent performance and 241 stage points have placed him 68 points ahead of fellow Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott in the championship battle.
The Importance of Chevrolet Unity at Daytona
With the pressure mounting as the regular season closes, Byron’s decision to assist fellow Chevrolet drivers underscores the collaborative nature of superspeedway racing. The drafting alliances formed at Daytona can significantly influence the outcome of the race, making team strategies crucial.
By coming together, Byron and his Chevrolet teammates hope to optimize their chances of advancing through the playoffs. Their cooperation could prove vital for drivers like Alex Bowman, who remains on the cusp of securing a spot in the postseason.
As the final race approaches, the resolve shown by Byron and his teammates highlights the interplay of individual skill and collective effort needed to succeed when stakes are highest at Daytona International Speedway.
