CONCORD, N.C. – It was a story fit for a movie.
Hendrick Motorsports in search of its first DAYTONA 500 win in 10 years. Inclement weather moved the DAYTONA 500 from Sunday to Monday, which was also the 40th anniversary of the team’s first start in the NASCAR Cup Series, taking place at Daytona International Speedway.
William Byron made sure it would be an anniversary that team owner Rick Hendrick and team vice chairman Jeff Gordon would never forget. Byron led the final four laps and held off multiple competitors in the closing laps to win his first DAYTONA 500.
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"What today has reminded me of, it’s been a decade since Hendrick Motorsports has won the Daytona 500," Gordon said. "Through those years, I think what we’ve gained an appreciation more so than ever is how difficult this race is to win and all the different things that have to line up for you to win it. Then, also how exciting, fun and amazing it is to win it. To see these guys celebrate, that’s what it’s all about."
Byron joins Gordon (three wins in 1997, 1999 and 2005), Jimmie Johnson (2006 and 2013), Geoff Bodine (1986), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014) and Darrell Waltrip (1989) as the drivers to win the DAYTONA 500 for Hendrick Motorsports.
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The victory tied Hendrick Motorsports with Petty Enterprises for the most wins (nine) in "The Great American Race" and also saw the organization become the first to win the event in five different decades.
"I forgot how thrilling it really is," Hendrick said. "Now tying the record for wins here in the (DAYTONA) 500, I think it’s going to sink in next week a little bit more.
"I’m in awe of how hard it is to win this race. I’m just so happy for William (Byron) and Rudy (Fugle), the organization and to see Alex (Bowman) finish second. That was great."
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Every win is a team win, but the DAYTONA 500 magnifies that even more with the teamwork needed to maneuver in the draft, to get on and off pit road together, the work of the shop crew preparing the cars, the engine shop preparing the horsepower and the road crew executing the strategy.
"We’ve been able to celebrate some big wins and championships together," Gordon said. "Our excitement and my excitement being on this side of it is seeing these folks, how hard they work, seeing our people and how they rally around the teamwork that goes on. It just makes you appreciate it so much more when you know that this is a company win. This is a team effort."
