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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 10: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, stands on the grid after posting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 10: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, stands on the grid after posting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
2020 was a year that NASCAR racing team Hendrick Motorsports will cherish for years to come. Amidst the uncertainties of the pandemic, the outfit came up with a special season overall to provide cheers for their fans.
Chase Elliott naturally took home the plaudits for his Cup Series title win. But the other drivers at the side, the likes of William Byron, enjoyed a decent outing as well.
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Speaking in an interview, Byron spoke about the ‘transition’ phase at the Rick Hendrick-owned team. And admitted that there were certain standards for drivers to attain and accomplish in their respective careers.
William Byron believes there is a ‘set bar’ at Hendrick Motorsports now
Byron stated, “It’s definitely hit us. Seeing Chase go out there and win the championship like that was definitely a sign that we’re capable. The bar has been set for sure.”
The Hendrick No.24 continued, “Things have really evolved. I think about the first year when I was here in 2018 – how many growing pains there were for me, but also the race team to find our footing with three ‘new’ drivers and one veteran guy.”
Byron himself took home a stunning win in the 2020 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. Similarly, his teammate Alex Bowman won this year’s Auto Club 400 at Fontana and ranked 6th in the Drivers’ Standings.
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 23: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty Patriotic Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Byron will look to further improve his numbers in the 2021 NASCAR season
“Now, it’s four ‘new’ guys – and three of us have been here for a while now and established our trends and feelings inside the team and what we want in our race cars. The bar has been set, and it’s about going out there to achieve that,” concluded Byron on the subject.
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Lincoln, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) go below the double yellow line coming out of turn 4 on the final lap during the Yellawood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
With a new Crew Chief at the helm for Byron, 2021 is a season where the Charlotte native will look to make a mark. The 26-year-old will be joined by a former ally of his in Rudy Fugle this year.
Byron knows Fugle from his days racing in the Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports. And so, they will look to strike a similarly successful relationship for the 2021 season as well.
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