Rick Hendrick says William Byron winning another championship would be special

When William Byron took over behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, you knew he was facing an uphill battle in filling the shoes of the man who made the car famous.

Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, won four NASCAR Cup Series championships in 23 seasons piloting the No. 24 car. It’s a lot to live up to for someone like Byron, who took over the ride in 2018 as a rookie. Five years later, Byron has a chance to win his first Cup Series championship as one of the final four drivers remaining heading into the season finale at Phoenix Raceway this Sunday.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, said it would be a special moment if Byron could race his way into the history books in the No. 24 car.

“With the 24, we won our first championship,” Hendrick said this week, via NASCAR.com. “That’s a number that everybody here is close to everybody’s heart. So to see that car win again is super special. I think we’ve seen Chase [Elliott] win with the car No. 9 that means so much to him and of course the No. 5 which is our first number and Kyle’s [Larson] won a championship with it.

“To see the No. 24 back in victory lane and winning a championship with William is gonna be special. I kinda know who Jeff Gordon is probably pulling for. But anyway, it is special because that number has meant so much to us and of course what Jeff’s done with it. So it would be very special to see the No. 24 in victory lane Sunday.”

Can William Byron cap off 2023 season with championship?

Byron has been the most consistent driver this season, winning a series-leading six races and picking up 20 top 10s and 14 top 5s. All that’s left is to finish the deal at Phoenix and become the eighth first-time winner of the revised playoff format which began back in 2014.

“When I moved him into the No. 24, I had a lot of doubters. Not in our company, but I read all the stuff that people said he wasn’t ready,” Hendrick said. “To see him blossom and turn into the driver he has, it’s been phenomenal. William has always been pretty calculating, and he doesn’t drive over his head and he’s won races this year by making some aggressive moves.

“He’s the guy you want your daughter to marry. He’s smart. He studies, he’s in the simulator, he’s planning and he really thinks he’s the best driver out there.”