The 2025 season has been anything but quiet for Rick Hendrick’s driver, William Byron. He’s checked off milestones, stacked up wins, and most importantly, locked down the regular-season championship. Now, this is a trophy that proves consistency matters just as much as raw speed. For Hendrick Motorsports, it’s another reminder that their young star is no longer just “the kid with iRacing roots,” but a driver capable of running with the heavyweights week after week.

Still, for all the accolades piling up, there’s a different kind of conversation swirling around Byron right now. The kind that doesn’t get settled with a stage win or a flashy burnout. Because when the spotlight grows brighter in NASCAR’s playoffs, every driver knows there’s something bigger at stake than just another trophy.

The weight of expectations for William Byron

William Byron’s rise in NASCAR has been as unconventional as it is meteoric. “It’s the expectation,” Byron confessed, nodding to the relentless pressure that comes from growing up in the iRacing world and leveraging that into a Cup Series spotlight. Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2016 at just 18, Byron’s been on a rocket. He has gone from simulator sensation to Cup Rookie of the Year in 2018, and he’s never looked back.

“I just think about all the people that have put… a lot of effort into my career to get me to where I am, and yeah, I think it’s validation for all those people as well. I would love to win a championship. I would love it for my family. I would love it for all the people who helped me along the way. I mean, Max, my dad… Like, there are so many people that helped me get to where I am, and I know those people will look back and smile if I won a championship, so yeah, I would love to,” Byron reflected on the Happy Hour podcast, a humble reminder of his journey. From winning the 2017 Xfinity Series championship to his first Cup victory in 2020, and a career-best 10th in points in 2021, each milestone has reinforced that journey. By 2025, he’d secured back-to-back Daytona 500 victories and topped the regular season standings.

Still, the hunger lingers, as the 27-year-old said, “Every time I think about the pressure of winning a championship, I think about, man, I want to do this for another 13 to 15 years or something like that.” That’s more than a statement; it’s the commitment to longevity. And thanks to a four-year contract extension signed in May 2025, Byron is locked with Rick Hendrick through the 2029 season.

For Byron, a championship isn’t just validation; it’s legacy. He knows that each lap he leads, every broadcast he stands on afterward, is another brick in the foundation of a career bigger than one race, one season, or even one car number. Byron starts his playoff and championship quest with the first race at Darlington in a couple of days.

William Byron enters the playoffs sitting second in the standings, a solid 26 points above the cutline. That cushion gives him breathing room to attack early. And with his momentum this season, he’s primed for a deep run. Don’t be surprised if the No. 24 Rick Hendrick driver isn’t just contending but ultimately hoisting the championship trophy.

William Byron aims to surpass Denny Hamlin

William Byron named Denny Hamlin as a personal hero. Not for his race wins, but for how he stays sharp year after year. “There are other days where you’re like, man, you look at somebody like Denny, and I admire this a lot about him. Like, he’s just continued to perfect his craft over the years,” Byron said, making clear that he doesn’t just want to win races and championships. Rather, he wants to be the most refined version of himself, race after race.

But Byron’s ambitions go even further. He’s not just chasing durability, but he’s chasing history. “Hopefully, I’m in a position to win many championships,” he added, signaling that the title, elusive to Hamlin, won’t be enough for him just once. If Byron can persist with the consistency he’s shown, he could go on even newer ground than Hamlin.

At just 27 years old, Byron has time on his side. NASCAR careers span decades. Take Jeff Gordon, who raced at a high level well into his 40s. Or Darrell Waltrip, whose impact endured beyond retirement. If Byron remains with Hendrick Motorsports through 2029 and beyond, he has not just the seat, but the resources, to craft a legacy built on sustained excellence.

Despite the pressure, the path for Byron is clear. Race smart, keep evolving, and capitalize on every season. He’s already written his name as a championship-caliber driver. Now the real talk is about how high he can raise the bar. And with the Rick Hendrick machine and his own dedication to it, history may be just the beginning. As Byron put it, he “just got to keep focusing on that.”