William Byron emerged victorious at the Daytona 500, showcasing a dominant performance at the Circuit of the Americas. Starting from pole position, Byron led 42 of 68 laps in NASCAR's first road course race of the season. Despite a late challenge from Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing, Byron maintained his lead to secure the win.
Byron, a self-taught racer known for his computer-simulated training, clinched his 12th career victory and second on a road course. The race at the Circuit of the Americas, typically known for Formula One events, witnessed a relatively incident-free competition compared to previous years.
Throughout the race, Byron faced stiff competition, notably from Ross Chastain, who briefly took the lead in the final stage before Byron reclaimed his position. Despite a penalty for driving out of bounds, Chase Elliott, a former Cup Series champion, was unable to challenge for the win.
While Ford drivers struggled on the road course, Chris Buescher emerged as the top performer for the manufacturer, finishing in eighth place. Looking ahead, the Circuit of the Americas is poised to host NASCAR again in 2025, with plans already in motion for the event.
The next stop for the series is Richmond Raceway in Virginia for short track racing, promising another thrilling chapter in the NASCAR season.
