William Byron qualified second for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix. (Photo: Patrick Vallely | NASCAR Digital Media)
AVONDALE, Ariz. — William Byron returns to Phoenix Raceway this weekend with a calm confidence and sharpened focus as he seeks his first NASCAR Cup Series championship.
The driver of the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, prepared by Hendrick Motorsports, has been a consistent force all season, earning his spot in the Championship 4 for the second consecutive year and the third time in his career. Byron qualified fourth for Sunday’s title race and enters the finale on a wave of momentum after his clutch victory at Martinsville Speedway last weekend.
“When I hear you say that, it’s third straight, it’s really cool,” Byron said. “We should take pride in that as a team honestly because it’s hard to do, especially with this Next Gen car. So yeah, it’s exciting. It’s all that our team’s kind of been here and done this before.”
“Yeah, I think it just kind of narrows the focus. I think it just kind of makes it clearer. The track hasn’t changed. We’ve been in these positions. It’s very routine.”
Byron’s steady demeanor has become one of his defining traits, particularly on high-pressure weekends like this. He said his approach doesn’t change just because a championship is at stake.
“The same as always,” Byron said during Thursday’s Championship 4 Media Day. “That sounds really boring, but it’s the same. If anything, you just kind of narrow your focus on what has worked for you. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You just have to continue to just kind of work through the different challenges.”
“I’m sure there will be a ton of things that happen during the race. Just have to stick with it.”
The 27-year-old Charlotte native has already established himself as one of the sport’s most consistent performers. His Martinsville win marked his series-leading seventh victory of the season, solidifying his status as a title contender and ensuring Hendrick Motorsports another shot at the organization’s 15th championship.
“It’s great,” Byron said of his recent momentum. “Feel good this week. This sport is always humbling that we’re going to get back on track tomorrow, it’s going to be a new task. Can’t be naïve to that, the nature of the weekend. Everyone is on equal footing.”
“Yeah, we’re going to use, if anything, the mindset and the approach and our process. We’re going to use that and have confidence in that.”
For Byron, success has been about balance—staying focused, patient, and true to himself even as expectations grow. His quiet confidence mirrors that of crew chief Rudy Fugle, with whom he’s formed one of NASCAR’s most composed driver-crew chief pairings.
“Yeah, I mean, I just never want to say or do anything that feels out of character,” Byron said. “I just try to stay true to myself, just do my job inside the race car, let the actions of that do the talking.”
“Yeah, if I’m fortunate enough to win races that are meaningful to me, I show a lot of joy and excitement to that. I enjoy the moment, I feel like. Winning the 500, I enjoyed those few weeks. Yeah, right now it’s kind of the task at hand. He and I are just careful not to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
Byron said that his and teammate Kyle Larson’s pursuit of the title reflects both personal ambition and team pride.
William Byron has showcased pace and momentum at Phoenix after winning last Sunday at Martinsville. (Photo: Patrick Vallely | NASCAR Digital Media)
“I don’t think so,” he said when asked if anything changes between teammates. “I think at the end of the day if one of us was fortunate to win, we’d be happy for Hendrick as a whole, happy for the individual as well, because we have a good relationship.”
“No, but, I mean, Mr. Hendrick expects us to go out there and race hard. This race is between four guys that have raced. We’ve had battles, all of us, throughout the season. We understand each other.”
As one of the sport’s rising stars, Byron’s growth has come through both triumph and adversity. One of his biggest tests this year came after a tough Talladega finish, where he spun through the grass while taking the checkered flag.
“Probably just getting back up off the mat getting ready for last weekend,” Byron said. “After Talladega spinning through the grass, taking the checkered flag sideways, not having the finish, getting yourself remotivated to get to the racetrack. It was a little bit hard.”
Byron’s resilience showed the following week at Martinsville, where he dominated the closing laps to clinch a spot in the Championship 4. That performance, coupled with his experience at Phoenix, has given him confidence heading into Sunday.
“Feel good this week,” Byron said. “This sport is always humbling that we’re going to get back on track tomorrow, it’s going to be a new task. Can’t be naïve to that, the nature of the weekend. Everyone is on equal footing.”
The 1-mile tri-oval at Phoenix Raceway rewards patience, corner entry precision, and tire management—areas in which Byron has excelled this season. His smooth, analytical driving style aligns well with the track’s technical demands, something that has improved since his first championship appearance here in 2023.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m a totally different person than I was back then,” Byron said. “That’s true with anybody. Like with age, you should be learning, you should be improving.”
“I’ve learned so much since then. I don’t really look back at that person and say, Man, how do I just be a little different? There’s so much different. Probably the only thing the same is the track and the car I’m driving.”
“Yeah, it’s a constant evolution. I mean, I probably use stuff from that race to apply to future wins the next year. I would say, I mean, this script kind of has been written since then, there’s been so much that’s happened.”
William Byron, one of the Championship 4 contenders, hopes to make it a memorable Sunday at Phoenix. (Photo: Michael Donahue | The Podium Finish)
Byron’s journey from iRacing prodigy to Cup championship contender has been defined by steady growth and adaptability. His ability to absorb lessons from past experiences and apply them quickly has helped him reach the sport’s top tier.
In 2023, Byron won the pole at Phoenix, led 95 laps, and won the first stage before fading late to finish fourth. This year, he returns more seasoned and with greater composure, understanding how to manage the 312-lap grind for a championship.
With Hendrick Motorsports fielding two drivers in the Championship 4—Byron and Larson—the organization has another strong chance to extend its record of team success. For Byron, the goal is simple: stay within himself, execute the plan, and let his performance speak.
“Yeah, I just try to stay true to myself, just do my job inside the race car,” Byron said. “Let the actions of that do the talking.”
Byron’s poised approach and consistent pace suggest he’s ready to contend for his first championship. If he can maintain the same level of focus that’s carried him all season, he could cap off a career year in victory lane on Sunday evening.
Editor’s Notes
Michele Aerin contributed to this article directly onsite from Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
