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The driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, William Byron, is gearing up for his second consecutive appearance in the Championship 4, though he hopes to avoid a repeat of his past struggles in this high-stakes event. In last year’s finale, Byron secured pole position but ultimately fell behind competitors Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney as the race unfolded.
This year’s journey to the championship showdown is markedly unique for Byron, who qualified based on points rather than triumphs, having not secured a victory since April. In fact, for a brief period right after the Martinsville race, he was technically out of contention for the Championship 4. Byron found himself anxiously awaiting NASCAR’s ruling on an incident involving Christopher Bell, whose accidental wall-ride was ultimately deemed an illegal maneuver. This decision reinstated Byron into the final four.
“It was excruciating,” Byron recalled about the anxious wait. “I felt like it lasted forever. I was honestly preparing for the worst, thinking we had done all we could, but it was just a lot of waiting. The longer it took, the more I felt it wasn’t going to work out. But in the end, it did.”
Onward to Phoenix
Upon learning he’d still have a shot at the championship, Byron’s celebrations were tempered; he remained grounded, reflecting on how this tumultuous journey would influence his approach to the decisive race on Sunday. “I’ve never felt more connected to my team than I do now,” he stated. “We quickly moved on after the meeting on Sunday night. Personally, I’ve blocked out a lot of external noise. I haven’t checked social media—I’m solely focused on making the 24 car as fast as possible.”
“My past experiences have definitely shaped this, as I’ve been through enough challenges in my Cup career to know what to focus on and what to ignore,” he added.
No comment on Martinsville penalties
Despite his efforts to stay focused, the controversy surrounding recent off-track incidents continues to swirl. Just days after Martinsville, NASCAR imposed penalties on three teams for alleged race manipulation, including the two Chevrolet drivers who closely followed Byron in the race’s final moments. Trackhouse’s appeal regarding these penalties was denied, with NASCAR emphasizing the need to uphold the sport’s integrity.
As the sole driver in the championship who wasn’t directly implicated in the controversy, Byron refrained from commenting extensively on the unfolding situation. “I was just concentrated on what I could control,” he remarked when asked about the actions of fellow drivers Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon during the closing laps. “I was giving it my all, trying to block and drive as hard as possible. I don’t really know their perspectives, though. My focus was simply on my own performance.”
When asked if he agreed with the imposed penalties, Byron preferred to sidestep the topic, stating, “I mean, I have no comment. I’m focused on the 24 and aiming to perform well for my team. I genuinely believe this is a significant opportunity for us to contend for the championship, and that’s where my attention lies.”
As he heads into this weekend’s race, Byron carries the weight of expectation, being the only representative of Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet in the championship finale. He will also be driving the iconic No. 24, a number that hasn’t claimed a Cup title since the legendary Jeff Gordon, who now holds a vice chairman role at HMS, won it in 2001.
Source
www.motorsport.com