William Byron's Backup Car Quest for Daytona 500 Three-Peat History
William Byron is set to chase an unprecedented third consecutive Daytona 500 victory this Sunday, aiming to etch his name into NASCAR history. However, his bid for this remarkable three-peat will unfold from an unexpected position—behind the wheel of a backup Chevrolet. His primary No. 24 car sustained damage during a qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway, forcing him into a substitute vehicle. Remarkably, this scenario echoes his 2024 triumph, where he secured his first Daytona 500 win in a Hendrick Motorsports backup car.
"We've won this race with a backup car, so I'm not super worried on that aspect," Byron remarked. "But it does suck that you put a lot of work into the primary and you don't get to race it." Starting 39th in the 41-car field for NASCAR's season opener, Byron remains unfazed by his back-of-the-pack position. His previous victories in 2024 and 2025 were not marked by dominance; he led a combined total of just 14 laps across both wins. Instead, his success has hinged on strategic positioning and seizing opportunities at critical moments.
Historical Challenges and Rival Perspectives
No driver in the 67-year history of the Daytona 500 has achieved three straight wins in "The Great American Race." Legends like Richard Petty in 1975, Cale Yarborough in 1985, Sterling Marlin in 1996, and Denny Hamlin in 2021 all fell short of this milestone. Hamlin, reflecting on Byron's chances, noted, "It's hard. You're going to need things to fall your way. In 2021, I legit thought we were going to get it. We led the most laps in that race, was really fast, but didn't work out on the last pit sequence." He emphasized the role of fortune, adding, "There's an element of fortune there that has to fall your way. Last year, he was fortunate on the last lap there, but if you put yourself in the top eight you can get fortunate at times. He puts himself in the top eight, which is what matters."
Byron's recent performances underscore this blend of luck and skill. In 2025, he surged from ninth place on the final overtime lap to victory after a massive wreck cleared his path, leading only 10 laps all day. Similarly, in 2024, he led just four laps and dropped as low as 34th before capitalizing on a last-lap scramble to win under caution. "It just feels like I've been, at this track in particular, able to have some things go my way and also make good decisions in those moments that I had opportunities," Byron explained. "It's a mix of being in the right place and then having those chances to make good decisions."
Byron's Turnaround and Team Confidence
This two-year winning streak marks a dramatic turnaround for Byron, who has crashed out in eight of his 16 career starts at Daytona. "I feel like for a while it was a joke; I couldn't finish a race here," he admitted. "My first six years, I couldn't finish the race, but I was always in the mix. I think it's kind of finally tipped the other way." With five career victories at drafting tracks—including two at Atlanta and three at Daytona—Byron attributes his improvement to mastering the draft and navigating traffic, skills honed at Talladega where he has five top-five finishes.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who holds a NASCAR-record 20 Daytona 500 wins, dismisses the notion that Byron's success is merely luck. "I don't know if you can really luck into it. You've got to put yourself in position to do it," Hendrick stated. "William is probably underestimated as a plate racer; he's one of the best out there. If you watch his way through traffic and the success he's had, not just because he's won the two Daytona's back-to-back, because he's been up there, he's just getting more mature—not mature—more seasoned."
Rival Contenders and Their Stories
Kyle Busch starts on the pole for the first time in his 21 attempts to win the Daytona 500, carrying the longest active drought among drivers in the field at 0 for 20. With a 93-race losing streak dating to 2023, Busch is driven by a desire to win for his family, particularly his 10-year-old son Brexton. "It's been a rough stretch. It's no secret, right? Seeing my son and his passion that he has, he really, really is probably my biggest cheerleader," Busch shared. "He wants to see me run well. He wants to see me win races. He wants to celebrate in victory lane like he sees other drivers' kids being able to do. So there's nothing more that drives me every single weekend than seeing him see me, be proud of me."
Denny Hamlin, who missed his chance at three straight wins, now aims for a fourth Daytona 500 victory to tie Cale Yarborough for second-most all-time. "Every win that you get here puts you in a certain list," Hamlin said. "The list is so small at that four number, it certainly was on my mind on the last lap last year when we were leading, that we are going to get another one. I feel as though the opportunity will be there, and hopefully we can put ourselves in position to move ourselves up that Daytona 500 winners board."
Brad Keselowski enters the race with a broken right leg from a December skiing accident, using a cane to walk but determined to compete. "When I'm in the car, I know I've got an injury, don't get me wrong, but I feel the best in the car," he noted. "The seat is molded to me really well and you get a little adrenaline flowing, so I felt pretty good." Despite being 0 for 16 in the Daytona 500, Keselowski has raced through injuries before, though he acknowledges this one is more severe.
Additional Race Highlights
Joey Logano and Chase Elliott won their qualifying races, positioning them as strong contenders. Dale Jarrett remains the last driver to win from the pole in 2000. In a notable pairing, Jimmie Johnson, aged 50, and rookie Connor Zilisch, aged 19, start side-by-side in 31st and 32nd, representing the oldest and youngest drivers in the field. Betting favorites include Logano and his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, both at plus-1200 odds.
