William Byron addresses Daytona 500 victory critics: 'Makes me chuckle'

William Byron addresses Daytona 500 victory critics: 'Makes me chuckle'

By Michael Anderson

February 23, 2025 at 03:11 AM

Byron's response on his Daytona 500 win perfectly encapsulates the blend of strategy and fortune in NASCAR's most prestigious race.

Man wearing red cap

Man wearing red cap

After securing his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory, William Byron addressed critics who attributed his win purely to luck. Byron moved from seventh to first position in the final lap after a crash collected the leaders, ultimately beating Tyler Reddick to the finish line.

"When I started superspeedway racing, I treated it as luck and strategy didn't really work out very well," Byron reflected. "I go into it and try to control the things I can control." He emphasized that while fortune played a role, his strategic positioning throughout the race was crucial.

Byron joins Denny Hamlin (2019-2020) as recent back-to-back winners of the Great American Race. The event has notably crowned first-time winners in recent years, including Michael McDowell (2021), Austin Cindric (2022), and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2023).

Following his victory, Byron embarked on a celebratory tour, attending WWE Raw in Charlotte and making stops at major media outlets in New York and Atlanta. He even performed victory donuts in the Atlanta Braves' outfield as part of the celebrations.

"I think every one is a little bit different, but this one I tried to take in a lot as I went through it and thought about what it meant," Byron said, acknowledging the unique significance of winning NASCAR's premier event. "I feel like the Daytona 500 is a win that, over time, you grow more and more fond of."

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