The 2024 NASCAR season brought a wave of excitement as Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) celebrated its 40th anniversary. Renowned for producing legendary drivers and iconic cars, HMS has solidified its place as the most successful team in NASCAR history, boasting 339 wins and 16 championships across all three series. At the heart of this legacy lies the iconic No. 24 car, famously driven by Jeff Gordon, whose 93 career victories remain a benchmark of excellence. Now, Rick Hendrick’s rising star, William Byron, has taken the wheel, and his recent triumph at the Daytona 500 is already reshaping the narrative of greatness.
William Byron’s performance in the Next-Gen era has been nothing short of remarkable. With 11 wins since its introduction, Byron has proven himself as the best driver in HMS’s current lineup. However, his victory at the 2024 Daytona 500 was more than just another race—it marked a turning point. Despite a challenging week that included a crash during practice and multiple weather delays, Byron showcased resilience and skill, staying consistent throughout the race and seizing victory after a dramatic final-stage battle with Ross Chastain. The win not only broke HMS’s nine-year Daytona 500 drought but also earned Byron bold praise from Jeff Gordon himself, who declared, “He was already a superstar. He just went to another level of being a superstar.”
This milestone win was a symbolic passing of the torch from Gordon to Byron, with the younger driver proving he could uphold and even elevate the legacy of the No. 24 car. Byron’s rise to prominence, however, is no overnight success. His journey began in 2015, driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. A record-breaking 2016 season saw him secure seven wins and Rookie of the Year honors, setting the stage for his transition to Hendrick Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. There, he continued his dominance, capturing four wins and the championship in his rookie season before being promoted to the Cup Series in 2018.
Now entering his seventh season with HMS, Byron has established himself as one of NASCAR’s most promising talents. With his Daytona 500 victory serving as a defining moment, the question looms: Can William Byron fully step into the shoes of Jeff Gordon and cement his own legacy? If his recent performances are any indication, Byron is well on his way to achieving greatness in the No. 24 car.
