William Byron Sweeps Stages in NASCAR Cup Series Race at Darlington, Finishes Second; Elliott Eighth
In a race filled with drama, strategy, and sheer speed, William Byron put on a dominant performance at Darlington Raceway, sweeping both stages of the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. Although he ultimately finished second, Byron sent a clear message to the rest of the field: he’s here to contend for a championship.
Driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, Byron led 156 laps and looked like the driver to beat for most of the night. His ability to maintain speed through long green-flag runs and execute pit strategy flawlessly gave him a commanding presence on the track. However, in the final laps, a late-race restart saw him lose the lead to a surging competitor, ultimately settling for a strong second-place finish.
“We had a great car all day,” Byron said post-race. “To sweep both stages here at Darlington means a lot. This place is tough. It’s a track that tests everything—your car, your focus, your patience. I’m proud of the effort we put in. Yeah, we wanted the win, but this is big momentum for us.”
Byron’s performance helped him pick up valuable playoff points, bolstering his position in the championship standings. The Darlington result marked his 10th top-five finish of the season, continuing what has been one of the most consistent campaigns of his career.
While Byron dominated much of the race, the win went to another driver who made the most of the final restart and clean air. Still, Byron’s ability to control the pace in both stages demonstrated just how far he and the No. 24 team have come under crew chief Rudy Fugle’s leadership.
Behind him, fellow Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott had a solid day, finishing eighth after spending much of the race inside the top 10. Elliott, who continues to recover from a slow start to the season, showed encouraging speed and stayed out of trouble—no small feat at the notoriously unforgiving “Track Too Tough to Tame.”
“Darlington is one of those tracks where you take what the race gives you,” Elliott said. “We had a good car today, maybe not the best, but good enough to hang in the top 10 and avoid the chaos. These kinds of days add up over the season.”
The race featured seven cautions and multiple lead changes, with tire wear playing a major role in team strategies throughout the evening. Long green-flag runs separated the contenders from the rest of the field, with several big names, including Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, facing setbacks due to wall contact or pit road penalties.
Fans were treated to classic Darlington action—tight racing, high tire degradation, and bold moves around the treacherous outside groove. The high line proved crucial for maintaining speed, but it came at a cost: the famed “Darlington Stripe” marked the right sides of nearly every car by the end of the race.
As the Cup Series continues to heat up heading into the summer stretch, William Byron’s performance at Darlington served as a reminder of his growing prowess on all types of tracks. Though he didn’t capture the checkered flag, his stage sweeps and runner-up finish solidify him as a serious title contender in 2025.
“I’ll take this kind of speed every week,” Byron said. “We’ll go back, make a few tweaks, and try to close the deal next time.”
With the next race looming, all eyes will be on whether Byron can carry this momentum forward—and whether Elliott can continue his climb back into championship form.