William Byron enters the 2024 NASCAR playoffs at New Hampshire Motor Speedway aiming to bolster his chances of advancing in the Round of 12. Despite a challenging recent streak without a top-10 finish and his historical struggles at Loudon, Byron’s current points cushion keeps him positioned well above the elimination threshold, highlighting his steady but cautious approach to the postseason.
Byron, the 2023 regular season champion, arrives at Loudon aware of the demanding three-race stretch ahead, which includes Kansas and Charlotte’s road course, knowing his comfortable 24-point lead over the cut line could quickly diminish if results falter. His goal is to convert recent incremental improvements into strong finishes that will solidify his place in the playoffs.
Assessing Byron’s Performance Through the Early Playoff Rounds
The initial Round of 16 demonstrated William Byron’s mix of competence and areas needing growth. His finishes—21st at Darlington, 11th at Gateway, and 12th at Bristol—were respectable compared to some Hendrick Motorsports teammates but lacked top-tier results that signify a strong championship run. Such outcomes, while not dire, reflect the competitive challenges Byron faces amid a deep playoff field.
“It’s kind of a marathon, within itself. Like there’s so many steps to this deal. So, the way this format is you just have to keep advancing and just hopefully you’re at your best when it counts,” he said via Bob Pockrass.
This mindset, emphasizing endurance and consistent progress, has shaped Byron’s approach as he battles through various race conditions rather than relying on a single breakout performance.
Signs of Progress at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
At Loudon, Byron showed promising signs early in the weekend by topping Saturday practice speeds at 127.834 mph in his No. 24 Chevrolet, a positive indicator given the track’s difficulty for his team. During qualifying, he secured a strong fifth-place starting position with a lap time of 29.373 seconds, placing him just behind Penske Racing’s front-row starters Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney. This performance was notable as other playoff drivers struggled to challenge the pace set by non-playoff contender Josh Berry early in the session.
“No, I don’t think we’ve changed anything. I think we’ve just kind of just refined everything and just said, okay, maybe the things we need to focus on, we just got to get a little bit closer and better on those things. So, yeah, nothing’s changed. I mean, we’ve done this for so long and we’ve had a great season that it’s just kind of tried to refine and work on the things that are maybe missing… We knew this track will be tough. So coming here and having the day we’ve had is a good sign.”
Byron’s comments reflect a focus on fine-tuning rather than overhauling his team’s setup, seeking incremental gains on a track that has historically proven to be a hurdle.
Challenges and Opportunities at Loudon for Byron and Hendrick Motorsports
New Hampshire Motor Speedway remains a unique challenge for William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports, as it is the only playoff venue where Byron has yet to secure a top-10 finish in eleven career starts. Across those races, he has led only nine laps, underscoring the persistent difficulty at what is often called the “Magic Mile.” Since Kasey Kahne’s last win here in 2012 for Hendrick, the team has struggled to consistently contend at Loudon, heightening the significance of this weekend’s race.
Sunday’s event presents an opportunity for Byron to rewrite that narrative and for Hendrick Motorsports to break a long winless streak at this track, which could serve as a crucial momentum booster for their playoff campaign.
Byron Guiding Hendrick’s Playoff Contenders at New Hampshire
William Byron’s fifth-place qualifying effort put him ahead of Hendrick teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, who started 16th and 27th, respectively. Alex Bowman, another Hendrick driver but no longer in championship contention, qualified seventh, illustrating competitive pace despite his elimination. Among the playoff drivers from Hendrick, Byron’s steady accumulation of points and solid starts provide an advantage in the tightly contested Round of 12.
Elliott’s history at Loudon includes no wins and eight finishes outside the top 10 in eleven races, while Larson’s record here, though historically better, has waned recently with only two top-10 finishes in his last seven starts. These patterns emphasize the importance of Byron’s current steadiness, which puts him tied with Larson for second in the playoff standings, comfortably positioned 24 points above the cut line, while Elliott lingers just five points clear.
Technical Factors Shaping Race Strategy This Weekend
Teams will navigate the race using Goodyear’s Racing Eagle tire compound, the same type employed in recent races at Martinsville, Richmond, North Wilkesboro, and Bowman Gray Stadium. Tire management will be a critical aspect influencing pit strategies and wear over the 301 laps, adding strategic complexity as drivers seek to maximize speed and durability on the often challenging surface of the Magic Mile.
For William Byron, this race is about converting the detailed refinements his team has made into tangible results. While a strong finish at Loudon alone won’t guarantee advancement to the semifinals, it could be the catalyst needed to reestablish championship momentum and confidence as the playoffs progress.
William Byron on what appeared to be a lackluster opening round and the strategy to get better with another seven weeks left in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/UyzFSYgvvE
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 21, 2025
