History of William Byron (racing driver) in Timeline

William Byron is a prominent American professional stock car racing driver. He currently races full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 24 Chevrolet ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports. In addition to his Cup Series commitments, Byron also participates part-time in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 17 Chevrolet SS for HMS, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 07 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Spire Motorsports. Byron is known for his success at a young age and his progression through the NASCAR ranks.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1984: Hendrick Motorsports' First Race

In 1984, Hendrick Motorsports ran its first-ever race as a team at the Daytona 500.

November 29, 1997: William Byron's Birth

On November 29, 1997, William McComas Byron Jr., an American professional stock car racing driver, was born.

2000: Kurt Busch's Truck Series Record

In 2000, Kurt Busch held the Camping World Truck Series record for most wins by a rookie with four wins, a record that William Byron broke in 2016.

2005: Jeff Gordon's Daytona 500 Win

In 2005, Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500 driving the No. 24 car.

2006: Attended Race at Martinsville Speedway

In 2006, William Byron attended a race at Martinsville Speedway, further solidifying his interest in racing that began at age six.

2012: Legend Car Young Lions Division Champion

In 2012, William Byron began racing Legends cars and won 33 races, becoming the Legend Car Young Lions Division champion.

2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Daytona 500 Win

In 2014, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona 500 for Hendrick Motorsports.

2014: Signed with JR Motorsports late model program

In 2014, William Byron signed with JR Motorsports late model program and competed in the No. 9 Liberty University Chevrolet at Hickory Motor Speedway, securing one victory and finishing second in points.

October 29, 2015: KBM Announcement

On October 29, 2015, Kyle Busch Motorsports announced that William Byron would run full-time in the team's No. 9 Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series during the 2016 season.

2015: K&N Pro Series East Champion

In 2015, William Byron won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship, alongside his ARCA Racing Series debut driving the No. 55 Liberty University Toyota Camry.

May 2016: Graduation from Charlotte Country Day School

In May 2016, Byron graduated from Charlotte Country Day School after taking online classes through Liberty University.

August 18, 2016: Signed with Hendrick Motorsports

On August 18, 2016, William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports announced a multi-year driver contract, with Byron running full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro SS for JR Motorsports in 2017.

2016: First Truck Series Win

In 2016, William Byron secured his first Truck Series win at Kansas and achieved a total of five wins throughout the season, setting a rookie record.

August 9, 2017: Replacement for Kasey Kahne

On August 9, 2017, Hendrick Motorsports announced William Byron would replace Kasey Kahne in the No. 5 car in 2018, continuing sponsorship with Axalta Coating Systems and Liberty University.

2017: Xfinity Series Championship

In 2017, William Byron won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship and secured his first career race win at Iowa.

October 10, 2018: Chad Knaus Becomes Crew Chief

On October 10, 2018, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Darian Grubb would become a technical director and Chad Knaus would take over crew chief duties for William Byron and the No. 24 in 2019.

2019: Crew Chief Change

In 2019, Chad Knaus took over crew chief duties for William Byron and the No. 24.

2019: Daytona 500 Pole and Playoff Appearance

In 2019, William Byron won the Daytona 500 pole and made his first career playoff appearance.

2020: First Cup Victory at Daytona

In 2020, William Byron scored his first career Cup victory at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, securing a spot in the playoffs.

May 4, 2021: Announcement of Mother's Diagnosis

On May 4, 2021, Byron announced that his mother, Dana, was being treated for a MALT lymphoma tumor.

June 2021: Returned to Truck Series

In June 2021, William Byron returned to the Truck Series, driving the No. 27 for Rackley W.A.R. at Nashville Superspeedway.

2021: Win at Homestead-Miami Speedway

In 2021, William Byron won the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway and achieved a career-high 10th place finish in the points standings.

April 7, 2022: First Truck Series Win for Spire Motorsports

On April 7, 2022, William Byron drove the No. 7 for Spire Motorsports, securing the team's first Truck Series win at Martinsville.

May 5, 2022: Contract Extension Through 2025

On May 5, 2022, William Byron received a contract extension to remain at Hendrick Motorsports through 2025.

July 28, 2022: Hauler Generator Fire

On July 28, 2022, the generator of William Byron's No. 24's hauler caught fire, but the car was not damaged.

October 6, 2022: Penalty Amendment

On October 6, 2022, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel rescinded the points penalty issued to William Byron at Texas, amending the fine instead and placing Byron back to seventh in the playoff standings.

2022: Contract Extension

In 2020, William Byron signed a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports through the 2022 season.

2022: Xfinity Series Return

In 2022, William Byron returned to the Xfinity series, driving the JR Motorsports No. 88 and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 17 in various races.

2022: "Hail Melon" maneuver banned

In 2022, following the "Hail Melon" maneuver, NASCAR banned the move.

March 9, 2023: Return to Kyle Busch Motorsports

On March 9, 2023, it was announced that William Byron would return to Kyle Busch Motorsports for the first time in six years, driving the No. 51 at Bristol Dirt, Darlington, and North Wilkesboro.

March 15, 2023: L2 Penalty for Unapproved Hood Louvers

On March 15, 2023, William Byron's No. 24 team was served an L2 penalty after unapproved hood louvers were found during pre-race inspection at Phoenix, resulting in points deductions and a crew chief suspension, though later amended on appeal.

2023: Runner-Up Finish at COTA

In 2023, William Byron returned to the No. 17 for a single race at COTA, finishing as runner-up to A. J. Allmendinger.

February 27, 2024: Four Xfinity Races in No. 17

On February 27, 2024, it was announced that William Byron would drive the No. 17 in 4 races throughout 2024, at Phoenix, Darlington, Pocono, and Watkins Glen.

2024: Daytona 500 Win

In 2024, William Byron won the Daytona 500, marking the first win for the No. 24 since 2005 and for Hendrick Motorsports since 2014. This 2024 win coincided with the 40th anniversary of Hendrick Motorsports' first race.