Beyond the Flag
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NASCAR: 5 drivers who need a quick start at Darlington and Charlotte

By Dominick Capolupo

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: A majority of the drivers in the field are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 09, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: A majority of the drivers in the field are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 09, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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NASCAR
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

William Byron

The first four races of the season for William Byron have been a sign of improvement. Byron has only recorded one top 10 finish this season, but it did come in the most recent race at Phoenix Raceway.

Byron started the season with a crash and a 40th place finish in the Daytona 500, not of his own doing. Then he recorded a 22nd place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, although that came after a relatively strong run. That was followed by a 15th place finish at Auto Club Speedway and a 10th place finish at Phoenix Raceway.

During the two-month break, Byron was the star of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series. He won three races in six starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway, and Dover International Speedway, and he led the most laps in five of the six races he ran. In fact, he led more laps than everybody else combined in these six events.

Those wins and time spent at the front could bring some momentum for Byron as he heads to Darlington Raceway, where he was quick last year and even took the pole position.

Crew chief Chad Knaus has a lot of experience at the track, including three wins with Jimmie Johnson behind he wheel. If anybody can tackle the challenge of having no practice or qualifying, it is Knaus.

Byron sits in 19th place in the championship standings, only three points back of the 16th and final playoff transfer spot, but these next few races are particularly important for him. His three teammates are all in the top five in the standings while he is not, so he needs to use his momentum from virtual racing in the real world as soon as possible.

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