William Byron faced a difficult challenge during the recent Kansas race, struggling throughout much of the 301-lap event before his team’s performance improved significantly late in the race. The Hendrick Motorsports driver managed to secure a ninth-place finish, maintaining a crucial position as the NASCAR playoffs continue to intensify. Byron’s experience at Kansas has drawn critical attention from Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon, who described the race as a revealing moment for the No. 24 team.
Throughout most of the race, Byron ran outside the top 20, a far cry from his usual pace. However, a late surge enabled the driver to finish within the top 10, marking his 15th such result this season. As the Round of 12 advances, Byron remains one of the playoff contenders, positioned safely with a 40-point lead above the cutoff line. Despite this, the challenges faced at Kansas have prompted deeper analysis by his team and leadership.
Jeff Gordon Reflects on the Challenges Faced by Byron’s Team
Looking back at the team’s performance after 31 races this season, Jeff Gordon stressed that the Kansas race signaled underlying issues for William Byron and the No. 24 car. He noted confusion about why the team had such difficulties early in the race and acknowledged the importance of their eventual top-10 finish.
“The 24 was the one that was kind of the eye opener today. They were pretty far off. They come out of here with a top 10 because they didn’t give up either. That one’s got our heads…scratching our heads, and we’ll go back and diagnose kind of what they went through and why they were in that position.” – Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman
Gordon further highlighted the inconsistency that plagued Byron’s car during the event, emphasizing how small gaps in performance can quickly translate into a poor standing on race day.
“I think that’s what we’re dealing with is just the inconsistencies there, because you’re just playing with hairs, and when you miss it, it can really make you look like you’re having a bad day. The 24 is a good example of that. They tried a couple things, and all of a sudden they look like the car just came to life all of a sudden out of nowhere.” – Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman
Byron accumulated 28 points from the Kansas race, bringing his total to 3,110 points, just 14 points shy of the current playoff leader Kyle Larson. Meanwhile, Byron’s teammate Chase Elliott made a remarkable comeback, winning the race after advancing from tenth position on an overtime restart, which propelled him into the Round of 8. Another teammate, Alex Bowman, who has been eliminated from the playoffs, finished 28th.
William Byron Describes His Frustration During Kansas Race
William Byron expressed confusion about his car’s lack of speed for most of the Kansas race, especially when compared to the form that helped him win the regular-season championship last year. His frustration was evident over team radio as he struggled to achieve the usual pace, but the adjustments made in the final stage helped improve performance.
“It was really confusing, honestly,” William Byron reflected on the race day. “I couldn’t carry any speed, and then the changes we made seemed to fix it, and I could carry speed there at the end. Even on two tires, I was competitive on the restarts.” – William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Byron also admitted disappointment about having to rely on last-minute strategy moves late in the season, rather than more consistent performance throughout.
“It sucks that we’re having to throw ‘Hail Marys’ this time of year. We don’t want to do that,” – William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports driver
This admission underlines the tense atmosphere within the Hendrick Motorsports team as the playoffs progress. Looking ahead, Byron will compete in the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with the race scheduled for Sunday, October 5, at 3 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live coverage on USA Network or listen to real-time updates via PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Implications of Kansas Performance on Byron’s Playoff Prospects
William Byron’s struggle and late rally at Kansas highlight the fine margins and unpredictable nature of NASCAR playoff racing. His ability to recover to a top-10 finish, despite difficulties, preserves his standing but also signals potential vulnerabilities as the competition intensifies. Jeff Gordon’s comments suggest the team will be conducting thorough reviews to address inconsistencies, which could prove critical for Byron’s chances in upcoming races.
With Chase Elliott’s strong win and Alex Bowman no longer in contention, the pressure mounts even more on Byron and his Hendrick Motorsports squad to optimize car setups and race strategy. As the playoff rounds proceed, how the team responds to these challenges could determine whether Byron advances deeper into the championship fight or falls short under pressure.
