William Byron admitted he was nervous about racing at Martinsville Speedway this weekend because of his previous struggles there. Last time, he finished 13th. But this time, he conquered those fears and made it a special weekend for Hendrick Motorsports, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of its first win.
“It was a tough experience for us as a team last time, but it showed our strength,” Byron reflected on his last visit.
This Sunday turned out to be a different story. Byron decided to stick with his old tires for the final two laps of overtime, securing his third win this season in just eight races and leading Hendrick Motorsports to an impressive 1-2-3 finish. “It’s not just about me; it’s about the team,” Byron emphasized.
Taking the lead with 73 laps left, Byron maintained his position even during the second consecutive overtime finish, beating out his teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott for the victory.
Byron’s strategic decision to pit early paid off, allowing him to move to the front later in the race and secure the lead for the overtime restart. The Hendrick trio—Byron, Larson, and Elliott—stayed out during the late crash, resulting in a historic 1-2-3 finish, the first of its kind at Martinsville.
Larson finished second, Elliott third, followed by Bubba Wallace in fourth, and Ryan Blaney in fifth. The entire Hendrick team celebrated the win, which marked their 29th victory at Martinsville, a record for any team at the track.
The race featured several long green flag runs, with planned cautions at the end of the first two stages. Despite the challenges, the Hendrick cars showcased ruby red paint schemes to honor the anniversary.
While owner Rick Hendrick couldn’t attend due to recent knee surgery, the organization hosted over 1,000 current and former employees for the race. In the end, Byron’s victory not only secured a significant milestone for Hendrick Motorsports but also showcased the team’s resilience and strategic prowess on the track.
