William Byron NASCAR milestones continue to shape his impressive career as he leads the NASCAR points standings this season and has secured the regular season title. The 27-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver, known for finishing third in the NASCAR Cup championship the past two years, has also achieved several significant NASCAR milestones that highlight his rapid rise in the sport.
Youngest Driver with Back-to-Back Daytona 500 Victories
In February this year, William Byron secured his second consecutive Daytona 500 win, an achievement matched by only four other drivers in NASCAR history, including legends like Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon. At 27 years, two months, and 18 days old, Byron set the record for the youngest driver to win multiple Daytona 500 titles, surpassing Jeff Gordon’s previous record by nearly four months.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion at Only 19 Years Old
Byron’s success began early when he claimed the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship driving for JR Motorsports at age 19. That season, he recorded four wins and was honored as the Xfinity Rookie of the Year. Before that, at 17, he earned the K&N Pro Series East championship in 2015, capturing four race victories and maintaining a top position throughout the season.
Rookie of the Year in NASCAR’s Premier Cup Series
William Byron joined Hendrick Motorsports’ iconic No. 24 Chevy in 2018 as a Cup Series rookie and quickly established himself by earning Rookie of the Year honors. In his debut Cup season, the Charlotte native achieved four top-10 finishes, including a sixth-place run at Pocono Raceway, and led 61 laps. Byron stands out as one of the rare drivers to secure Rookie of the Year titles in all three national series—Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup—in consecutive seasons.
Record-Setting Rookie Performance in the NASCAR Truck Series
Byron made his NASCAR Truck Series debut in 2015 with Kyle Busch Motorsports at Phoenix International Raceway. The following year, as a full-time rookie, he amassed seven wins, setting a record for the most victories by a rookie driver in the Truck Series. His first Truck Series victory took place at Kansas Speedway, marking the start of a breakthrough season that spelled exceptional consistency and speed on the track.
First NASCAR Cup Series Win Achieved Before Turning 23
William Byron captured his first NASCAR Cup Series triumph in August 2020 at Daytona International Speedway. Holding off fierce challenges from top competitors such as Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Martin Truex Jr., he executed a strategic two-tire pit stop under caution that positioned him for a late-race lead. With just 17 laps remaining, Byron crossed the finish line first at 22 years, 9 months, and 1 day old, signaling a pivotal milestone early in his Cup career.
Byron’s achievements highlight a young driver’s influence on the evolving NASCAR landscape. Setting records in multiple series while maintaining consistent performance places him among the sport’s rising stars. As he continues to lead the current NASCAR points standings, Byron’s trajectory suggests further accomplishments that could redefine expectations for drivers under 30.