It all came down to chaos. The 2024 Daytona 500 wasn’t settled by dominance or fuel strategy. It was decided in the final seconds, under the shadow of a crash. William Byron, caught up in the late-race mess with under ten laps to go, found himself at the front when the caution flew. Just before NASCAR threw the yellow for Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric’s collision, Byron took the white flag. That made it official. He was ahead of teammate Alex Bowman and secured the win as the field froze behind him. It seems Byron has fans behind him once again with Hendrick’s recent development.

But it wasn’t always like this. At his 2024 Daytona celebration, fans erupted, but whispers about luck grew louder in the paddock. The incident involved over 20 cars and forced a red flag that lasted more than 15 minutes. Byron, who only had seconds to react, danced through the chaos. “Just extremely blessed and thankful for all the opportunities, and now we just want to keep it going,” he told Fox Sports. It was a memorable moment, especially on the 40th anniversary of Hendrick Motorsports’ first-ever Cup race. While the NASCAR world celebrated, not everyone was sold. “I was kind of making a move for the lead with eight laps to go in the Daytona 500 and I’m here talking to you. It’s just one of those deals,” Brad Keselowski said in frustration.

The comment stuck. Was Byron’s win a product of fate or finesse? The critics didn’t have to wait long for an answer. Byron returned in 2025 and did it again. Clean. Controlled. Convincing. He became the youngest multi-time winner in Daytona 500 history. This wasn’t just a fluke. This was talent solidifying itself. Now, months after that historic repeat, Hendrick Motorsports has locked Byron in through 2029. The move triggered a wave of fan support, one that saw Hendrick’s so-called “prodigal grandson” elevated from promising talent to franchise cornerstone.

On Friday before NASCAR’s longest race, the Coca-Cola 600, Hendrick Motorsports made it official. William Byron had signed a four-year contract extension. The deal secures his place in the No. 24 Chevrolet through the 2029 season. No financial terms were revealed, but the timing said everything. Notably, Byron has grown from rookie to elite under the Hendrick banner. He earned the Cup Series Rookie of the Year title in 2018 and has since made six consecutive playoff appearances. His journey began at 18 with HMS.

Now, at 27, he’s one of the faces of the sport. The new deal locks in more than just a driver; it secures a proven winner and a fan favorite. “We’ve built something special with the No. 24 team. I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue working with amazing people at Hendrick Motorsports who believe in me, especially Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick. We’ve accomplished some great things that we’re really proud of, but we have even bigger goals ahead. I’m excited to go after them with this team and this organization,” Byron said in a team statement.

It’s not just PR talk. Byron backs it up with his on-track heroics. Since pairing with crew chief Rudy Fugle in 2021, Byron has racked up 13 wins, the second-most in the series during that stretch. He’s made six straight playoff appearances, reached the Championship 4 in 2023 and 2024, and won 14 total Cup races. He’s now second in the standings after 12 races this season with a win in Daytona. The numbers speak louder than words and that has fans rallying behind him.

With Byron now signed through 2029, HMS has its core locked in. Hendrick Motorsports has Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman under contract through 2026, with Chase Elliott signed through 2027. Each driver contributes a unique strength, and together they form one of the youngest and most talented lineups in NASCAR. Sponsorship stability further strengthens the team’s position, Axalta remains committed through 2027, while Liberty University, Valvoline, Ally, and Amazon Prime have all signed on for multiple seasons. These long-term partnerships provide HMS with both financial and branding strength, crucial in today’s sport.

NASCAR fans rally behind William Byron!

As soon as news broke the internet fans celebrated Byron’s career. A fan posted “Obviously Rick Hendrick wasn’t gonna let his grandson drive for anyone else.” It was half joke, half fact. Byron’s rise through HMS, his personal bond with the Hendrick family, and his loyalty to the No. 24 make him feel like part of the family legacy. Rick Hendrick also didn’t hold back in his praise. “William is the real deal. He combines natural ability with an unrivaled work ethic. You see it in the great ones, the drivers who could get by on talent alone but choose to outwork everyone anyway,” Hendrick said in the statement.

With William Byron’s future locked, fans are now turning their attention elsewhere—right to their keyboards, message boards, and Twitter feeds. What they’re saying paints a clear picture: they love this move. One fan summed it up well: “It’s genuinely impressive how long this Hendrick lineup could stay together. All are 32 or younger and performing very well. Unless someone like Reddick or Bell becomes available and the sponsors stay happy, there’s no reason for anything to change at HMS.”

That’s true. With Byron, Larson, Elliott, and Bowman all locked in, HMS could enjoy roster stability rarely seen in the sport. Additionally, they have financial stability with sponsors which makes them inevitable in upcoming seasons. Another user echoed the sentiments saying, “The long-term view also came into focus. “Honestly, I feel like 3/4 of Hendrick are with Hendrick for the remainder of their career.” Some fans pointed out Byron’s unique blend of skill. “Byron really is the best of both worlds between Larson’s ability to win and Elliott’s ability to not wreck a car,” a user posted.

Byron’s consistency backs this up, he has five Top 5 and seven top 10 finishes with more than 400 points in a dozen races. Another fan hit the nail on the head: “Willy B has evolved into one of the fastest and consistent drivers. Hell, this year if something doesn’t happen to him due to no fault of his own, he’s always in the top 5.” That consistency is what turns race winners into champions. Byron’s not just racing for wins anymore. He’s racing with the weight of a fanbase behind him, and they’re all in.