The roar of engines has barely subsided from the exhilarating Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta, and already, NASCAR fans are buzzing with anticipation for the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas this Sunday. But amidst the usual pre-race excitement, an important discussion emerges, could the 2024 Daytona 500 winner, William Byron, behind the wheel of the iconic #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, be the key to unlocking a new era of dominance for Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon’s beloved organization?

The 4-time champion with the #24 team and current Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Gordon himself, certainly seems to believe so.

Jeff Gordon’s Optimism for the New #24 Team at Hendrick Motorsports

Starting from the 11th position, Byron showcased incredible resilience throughout the Atlanta race last weekend. Skillfully navigating challenges, he narrowly avoided a spin courtesy of Chris Buescher on lap 25, earning two stage points with a P9 finish in stage two as well. Despite a pit road collision with Michael McDowell on lap 134, Byron finished P17.

Nevertheless, Gordon, a familiar face behind the wheel of the iconic #24 car, sees a bright future for the driver who now occupies that same seat. “I mean, I think for me, especially being in the Vice Chairman role,” Gordon said on the Motor Racing Network podcast, “NASCAR Live” with Kim Coon.

“Of course, I’ve been around Hendrick Motorsports my whole career and seen what Rick [Hendrick] has accomplished and what the company has accomplished and as you mentioned as a driver, but you know I never thought I could get as much joy from watching somebody else win or from this perspective…”

“But honestly, I have seen the hard work. I have seen the effort. I have seen the passion that this whole Hendrick Motorsports company has, but also those individual teams, and I think in particular with William and Rudy [Fugle, crew chief] and that whole team,” he added.

Rick Hendrick Lauds Grueling Atlanta Thriller Despite ‘Killing’ Four HMS Cars

This optimism stems from Byron’s impressive start to the 2024 season. He secured a thrilling Daytona 500 victory, followed by a respectable 17th-place finish at Atlanta despite being caught up in a multi-car incident. But the praise didn’t stop there, as what Gordon said next stands out beamingly.

A ‘Championship’ Prediction for the #24 Team

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“I’ve seen the way they have been progressing and I’ve seen how they’ve gone about it,” Jeff Gordon continued, highlighting the #24 team and Hendrick’s overall dedication.

“To me, there’s I know a few more on their lists that they want to try to accomplish and of course the championship but just very excited to see you know what they’re doing right now as an organization as a team, how they’re adding to put themselves at a higher echelon and it makes me really excited to be a part of that.” The Rainbow Warrior concluded by expressing immense faith and expansive expectations for the 26-year-old HMS talisman.

As the NASCAR Cup Series moves to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, many fans and experts predict a victory for the newest Harvey Earl trophy winner. Most metrics position William Byron alongside Hendrick teammates, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott as the top contenders on Sunday, marking the entire Hendrick contingent as the team to look out for in Sin City. Byron’s dominance on 1.5-mile tracks in the 2023 season, including a win in the spring Las Vegas race, adds to the anticipation further.

After His Breakout Season, Will William Byron Fit the Jeff Gordon Mold or Will He Drop Off?

In addition to his race chances, HMS recently revealed the new-look #24 Z HP Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the upcoming Cup Series event in Las Vegas. The redesigned paint scheme adds a ‘next-gen’ touch to the iconic #24. William Byron’s connection with HP, stemming from his iconic background in iRacing, brings a unique storyline to this partnership. The collaboration, announced in September, solidifies HP as a primary sponsor for Byron in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 NASCAR Cup Series campaigns for select races.