NASCAR: William Byron’s deal was done quite a while ago
By Asher Fair
William Byron confirmed that he is set to drive for Hendrick Motorsports through at least the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. But this deal was reportedly signed almost a month ago.
On Tuesday, William Byron confirmed that he is set to continue driving the #24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports through at least the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. He had been slated to return to the team through next year.
Byron has driven the #24 Chevrolet since his rookie season in 2018. He replaced Kasey Kahne in Hendrick Motorsports’ four-car lineup, but he ended up behind the wheel of the #24 Chevrolet since Chase Elliott moved to the #9 Chevrolet.
The #5 Chevrolet that Kahne drove hasn’t been used since 2017.
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This news came just three days after the 22-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native secured his first career victory in the 2020 regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway in what was his 98th career start and sixth at the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) high-banked oval in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Byron is now on a streak of two consecutive top four finishes after having finished no higher than sixth place through the season’s first 24 races. His victory locked him into the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and he is set to open up the four-round, 10-race postseason in ninth place in the championship standings.
Here is what he had to say about his contract extension.
It’s been a fun ride so far with @TeamHendrick and I'm excited to finally share that I'm signed up through 2022 in the No. 24! Thanks for all the support. Now let’s go to Darlington and lock ourselves into the next round of the #NASCARPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/mPu0nssZI8
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) September 1, 2020
But what is interesting about this contract extension is the fact that this deal was reportedly signed nearly a month ago, according to Hendrick Motorsports. It was signed on Saturday, August 8.
Six races have been contested since then.
If you do the math, the deal was reportedly agreed upon 24 days before Byron’s first win, which was the first win for the #24 car since Jeff Gordon’s 93rd and final win back in 2015.
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Of the 65 drivers to ever use the number 24, Byron and the four-time champion/Hall of Famer are the only two to drive to victory lane.