William Byron claimed victory at Iowa Speedway last weekend, propelling him to the points lead as the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the final three races of the regular season. The Hendrick Motorsports driver now faces a fierce competition for the NASCAR regular season crown, primarily against his teammates Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson.
Byron currently tops the standings with 770 points. Elliott is close behind with 752 points, while Larson trails by 45 points at 725. Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing are also in contention, sitting 51 and 86 points behind Byron respectively, as the series prepares for the upcoming race at Watkins Glen.
Byron Anticipates Tough Contest with Hendrick Motorsports Teammates
On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Byron expressed enthusiasm about the challenging run ahead and the competition among Hendrick Motorsports drivers. He emphasized the strong efforts from all three drivers and their teams as they battle for the regular season title.
“It’s definitely going to be a fun stretch. I feel like all three of us are working really hard and all of our teams are fast and competitive.
“We’ve just got to keep putting in the effort and the work and showing up every week and just approaching it the same way. I’m looking forward to the challenge of it. I think, Watkins Glen is a really good track for all three of us and just got to put in the work this week to make sure we’re ready to go and fast there,” he added.
Watkins Glen has seen significant success for both Elliott and Larson, who each have two wins at the 2.45-mile road course. Byron has raced there six times, securing one win, leading 66 laps, and earning three finishes in the top 10, showcasing his capability on this challenging track.
Byron’s Recent Performance at Richmond and Daytona Highlights His Versatility
While Byron has experienced mixed outcomes at Richmond, his performances highlight a competitive edge. In the spring 2023 race, he led 117 laps and earned a stage win but was caught in traffic late, resulting in a 24th-place finish. Last season, he managed one top-10 and one top-20 finish at Richmond. Beyond Richmond and Watkins Glen, Byron is a two-time defending Daytona 500 champion, having won consecutive races at the iconic superspeedway, emphasizing his range and skill across different track types.
Byron Reflects on the Significance of the NASCAR Regular Season Title
Regarding the importance of securing the NASCAR Cup regular season championship and the accompanying 15 bonus points, Byron took a pragmatic stance. He highlighted that while the points are valuable, consistent weekly performance remains paramount, especially with the playoffs approaching.
“I feel like there’s a lot of racing left. It’s really all about what you do week to week and you can lose or gain a ton of points in one week of the playoffs. I don’t think it’s the biggest deal, but it is a good pride thing and it gives you maybe a little bit easier sleep during the week when you look at the bonus points,” William Byron said.
Last year, Byron entered the final regular-season event at Darlington with a chance to claim the NASCAR Cup regular-season title but ultimately finished fifth. Tyler Reddick won the title by a narrow one-point margin following his tenth-place finish in the Southern 500, underscoring how tight the battle for the regular season crown can be.
Intensifying Rivalry Expected as Playoffs Approach
With only three regular-season races remaining, the battle between William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson is poised to intensify. Byron’s current lead puts him in a strong position, but the close points gap means every race will be critical. Watkins Glen, Richmond, and Darlington will test the drivers’ consistency and skill, shaping their momentum heading into the playoffs. This competition not only highlights the strength of Hendrick Motorsports but also underscores the excitement and unpredictability of the Chase Elliott NASCAR regular season fight.
