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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

In a world where the word ‘legend’ is so overused, it’s astonishing how sometimes it can be so massively misused. Just look at LEGO Masters calling William Byron a NASCAR Legend.

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The Hendrick Motorsports driver of the #24 racecar recently teamed up with the former #24 driver, Jeff Gordon, as they both made an appearance on LEGO Masters FOX.

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Byron posted a simple message for his fans ahead of the show, but it seems the social media person from the show’s side used Gordon’s adjective for Byron.

Now, this isn’t to throw any shade at the young HMS driver. Byron is very well capable of being a legend in his own right, he has the talent, he has the right backing, and if he makes the right moves (pun intended), he could easily qualify for well more than the tag of a legend.

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But right now? With only 4 wins in his five-year-long NASCAR career, he isn’t one.

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As expected from fans, that Byron was described with that word, didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, almost every single reaction to and on the tweet centered around him being called what he was called – a NASCAR Legend.

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Watch This Story: Kyle Busch Sends NASCAR Fans Into a Frenzy With a Simple One-Word Tweet

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William Byron on Jeff Gordon’s contribution in his growing NASCAR career

Earlier this year, William Byron signed a three-year extension to his contract with Hendrick Motorsports, giving him more years to not just give a glimpse of following in, but perhaps surpassing the steps of the man who’ll perhaps be forever tied with the #24 car.

Yes, it’s unimaginable, someone challenging, let alone surpassing Jeff Gordon, but that’s what everyone thought when Gordon himself was starting out.

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For Byron, though, it’d be relatively easier too, considering he has Gordon’s hand on his shoulder, and his guidance in his ears, something he acknowledged when he renewed his contract.

“He’s helped quite a bit,” Byron said of Gordon. “I think he’s just made me comfortable in the Cup Series and made me understand what’s important. He’s really good at managing both sides of it. He’s good at managing the off-track and the on-track (and) knowing the importance of both.”

“That’s been what I’ve learned from him over the years. And little tidbits of information about racing, too.”

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Whether these “little tidbits” help William Byron take his career to the next level, only time will tell. But until then, let’s refrain from using the word ‘legend’ for him, or for any young driver.

Let’s just settle on…well, what do you suggest?

Also Read: Hendrick Motorsports Star Kyle Larson’s Withdrawal Forces Major Change in Dirt Racing as “Garbage Format” Called Out

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Written by

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Shaharyar

2,079 Articles

Shaharyar is an experienced Senior NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. A journalist by heart and profession, he has been at the ‘wheel’ for nearly a decade after starting with Formula 1. He has penned over 1,700 articles on the sport. Shaharyar is known for his quick reporting on controversies and feuds in NASCAR and is one of the masterminds behind "NASCAR In and Out", a Reader-Connect Program of EssentiallySports that boasts a weekly reach of fifty thousand subscribers in the US. Shaharyar believes in the conversational style of journalism, where fans are at the heart of the conversation. As a big fan of Kyle Busch, he maintains a commitment to journalistic neutrality in his coverage. A graduate of journalism from a professional university, Shaharyar blends his love for storytelling with the fast-paced nature of the sport to deliver compelling content that resonates with his readers. Despite his admiration for Kyle Busch, Shaharyar is now turning his attention to Hendrick Motorsports star Kyle Larson, whom he believes is a legend in the making. He is always looking to bring fresh perspectives and insights to his readers and engages in healthy debates and discussions about the latest developments in NASCAR. In his free time, Shaharyar enjoys watching soccer and taking long walks to unwind.

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Varunkumaar Chelladurai

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