William Byron, the talented Hendrick Motorsports driver, recently shared the influence his passion for golf, and in particular Scottie Scheffler, has had on his racing career as he prepares for another Daytona 500 run. Byron’s insights into Scottie Scheffler’s mentality expose how borrowing from a champion golfer’s process-driven approach has shaped his preparation for NASCAR’s most thrilling race.
Adopting the Discipline of Golf Champions in NASCAR Preparation
William Byron, recognized for his fast-rising NASCAR career, has found valuable lessons off the race track, especially through observing golfers like world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler, whose dominance in men’s golf is evident with four major titles and an impressive 150+ weeks at the top, has become a model for Byron. Byron’s interest in Scheffler’s focus and process-driven mindset has inspired him to apply similar discipline and perspective to racing.
“I love watching golf and love watching the Golf Channel too. Watched a lot over the holidays… Honestly for me, watching Scotty, I think just hearing his mindset and some of the things he’s talked about and how he kind of keeps things in perspective. For me, he’s very process driven and I feel like that’s a huge asset… and I feel like the results come from that. So, I enjoy kind of watching how he plays. I watched a video with Ted Scott, his caddy, over the holidays, kind of talking through his mindset. So, it’s cool to watch them work.”
– William Byron, NASCAR driver
William Byron traveled to North Carolina for The Open alongside fellow NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, where he saw Scheffler’s dominance up close in a year the golfer tallied six PGA Tour victories. Byron has not only watched and learned but also competes regularly in golf, using it as a counterbalance to racing’s high pressure.
Golf’s Influence on Byron’s Mindset and Performance
Byron often spends his free weekends on the golf course, finding the sport a refreshing contrast to the fast-paced environment of professional racing. He practices several times a week, reporting a scoring average near 82. The sport’s mental challenges and need for self-control are qualities Byron values, and he candidly reflected on his journey with golf:
“My dad would give me a hard time growing up. He’s like, ‘You don’t have the patience for playing this game.’ I would get angry and maybe throw a club here and there. As I grew older, it honestly takes me to a whole another place mindset-wise than racing does. I love the competition of golf and competing against yourself. I just love hitting a pure shot.”
– William Byron, NASCAR driver
These lessons, shaped by his father’s playful critique and his own growth in golf, now inform Byron’s competitive philosophy. He credits the patience and focus demanded by golf for enhancing his mindset when he’s behind the wheel.
On the Verge of Daytona 500 History
Consistency marked Byron’s 2025 NASCAR season, drawing a parallel with Scheffler’s steady success. As the driver of the No. 24 car, Byron put together a remarkable campaign: three victories, 11 finishes in the top five, 16 top-ten finishes, and an impressive 1,330 laps led. He clinched the Daytona 500 in dramatic fashion, joining an elite group as one of only five drivers to win the race consecutively, and secured the regular season championship before ending the year fourth in the final standings.
Staying Focused on the Unpredictability of Daytona
With two Daytona 500 trophies, Byron is gearing up for the opportunity to make history by becoming the first driver to win the event three years in a row. However, he knows well that Daytona’s outcome is often decided by late-race drama, with wrecks and restarts keeping results uncertain until the final lap. Byron’s strategic mindset has been to survive the chaos and be ready to capitalize at the crucial moment, having led a modest total of 14 laps across his last two Daytona wins but prevailing when it mattered most.
“Daytona is unpredictable, so you just have to keep yourself in the race until the end,”
he added in the interview.
“That’s always my mindset going there, try to stay in the hunt. And, if we’re fortunate enough to be around at the end and have a shot to win it, it would definitely be amazing. So, little bit of pressure going into this year.”
– William Byron, NASCAR driver
Byron faces the immense pressure and excitement of trying to achieve what no other driver has: a third consecutive Daytona 500 victory. He’s focused on maintaining his composure, applying both the mental discipline he’s developed through golf and the experience of previous triumphs.
The Broader Impact: What’s Next for William Byron?
William Byron’s approach to racing, now shaped by insights from golf’s finest, continues to bear fruit as he navigates the demands of the racing circuit. With less than a month before NASCAR returns for the next season, Byron fuels his competitive spirit with rounds of golf while staying committed to his racing regimen. The lessons learned from Scottie Scheffler’s mental game and his own golf journey may prove to be pivotal as Byron pursues a place in NASCAR’s history books at the Daytona 500.
With both determination and a process-driven outlook, Byron remains a driver to watch, prepared to embrace Daytona’s unpredictability and chase another landmark victory in American motorsport.
