William Byron chases an unprecedented third straight Daytona 500 win Sunday when he attempts to make NASCAR history
William Byron will try to drive his way into NASCAR history Sunday when he attempts to become the first winner of three consecutive Daytona 500s.
He'll have to do it in a backup Chevrolet after his preferred No. 24 was damaged in a qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway .
No big deal, though: Byron won his first Daytona 500 in 2024 in a Hendrick Motorsports backup car.
Weve won this race with a backup car, so Im not super worried on that aspect, Byron said. But it does suck that you put a lot of work into the primary and you dont get to race it.
He will start 39th in the 41-car field in NASCAR's season opener but isn't concerned about being in the back of the pack. Byron was hardly dominant in winning the last two Daytona 500s he led a total combined 14 laps in both victories and his success has been rooted in being in the right place at the right time.
No driver in 67 previous Daytona 500s has won The Great American Race three years in a row. Richard Petty in 1975, Cale Yarborough in 1985, Sterling Marlin in 1996 and Denny Hamlin in 2021 all came up short.
Its hard. Youre going to need things to fall your way," Hamlin said of Byron's chances. "In 2021, I legit thought we were going to get (it). We led the most laps in that race, was really fast, but didnt work out on the last pit sequence.
"Theres an element of fortune there that has to fall your way. Last year, he was fortunate on the last lap there, but if you put yourself in the top eight you can get fortunate at times. He puts himself in the top eight, which is what matters.
Byron came from nowhere last year he was ninth at the start of the final lap of overtime when a monstrous wreck in front of him allowed Byron to squeeze through and snag the win after leading all of 10 laps the entire day.
He led only four laps in 2024 and dropped as low as 34th during the race but again was in position to pounce when it mattered. He navigated a last-lap scramble to take the lead right before a caution flag froze the field to win under yellow.
Luck? Maybe. But it takes skill to be able to capitalize when the opportunity arises.
It just feels like Ive been, at this track in particular, able to have some things go my way and also make good decisions in those moments that I had opportunities," Byron said. Its a mix of being in the right place and then having those chances to make good decisions.
His two-year run is a remarkable turnaround for Byron, who has only finished half of his 16 career starts at Daytona, crashing out eight times.
I feel like for a while it was a joke; I couldnt finish a race here, Byron said. My first six years, I couldnt finish the race, but I was always in the mix. I think its kind of finally tipped the other way.
Byron has five career victories at drafting tracks two at Atlanta and three at Daytona (he won the summer race in 2020). But he thinks his ability to master the draft and navigate through traffic turned in his favor at Talladega, where he has five top-five finishes.
I feel like weve had some things go our way, and then weve been good at the speedways. Really, it started at Talladega. I think we were better at Talladega for a while," Byron said. "We werent finishing at Daytona, and once we figured out a way to finish the races at Daytona, it seemed like it started to go the other way.
"You just try to do the best job you can, learning the little nuances of the draft. I dont think Im the best at drafting at the moment. I think theres still more to learn.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, winner of a NASCAR-record 20 Daytona 500s, doesn't believe Byron's success at Daytona has been tied solely to luck. He noted that Byron has raced for the NASCAR championship the last three years and has racked up 16 career victories in the No. 24 Chevrolet.
I don't know if you can really luck into it. You've got to put yourself in position to do it," Hendrick said. "William is probably underestimated as a plate racer; he's one of the best out there. If you watch his way through traffic and the success he's had, not just because he's won the two Daytona's back-to-back, because he's been up there, hes just getting more mature not mature more seasoned.
Busch tries to end drought
Kyle Busch starts on the pole for the first time in his 21 attempts to win the Daytona 500, and at 0 for 20, his drought is the longest among active drivers in the field.
Even worse, Busch takes a 93-race losing streak into Sunday that dates to 2023, his first season driving for Richard Childress Racing. It's a frustrating drought for Busch, a two-time NASCAR champion with 63 career Cup wins.
His 10-year-old son, Brexton, a budding racer, watched his father win the pole from the family motorhome in the infield and fell back onto a couch in anxiousness after watching his dad's qualifying run. Busch said he badly wants to win for his family.
Its been a rough stretch. Its no secret, right? Seeing my son and his passion that he has, he really, really is probably my biggest cheerleader, Busch said. He wants to see me run well. He wants to see me win races. He wants to celebrate in victory lane like he sees other drivers kids being able to do. So theres nothing more that drives me every single weekend than seeing him see me, be proud of me.
The pole-winning run comes as RCR tries to return to its championship-contending form, which has been spotty in the 25 years since Dale Earnhardt was killed in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500. Earnhardt won six championships and one Daytona 500 driving for Childress.
No driver has ever won the race for the first time in more than 20 attempts the number it took the Earnhardt to win it in 1998.
Its a box weve got to check, said Busch, who finished second to then-teammate Hamlin in 2019. This is an opportunity to be able to do that. Ive come down here a lot of years. I think I finished in about every position possible. It would be nice to (open) 2026 with a victory here in the Daytona 500.
Hamlin goes for No. 4
Hamlin missed his shot to win three straight Daytona 500s but still has records to chase.
Another victory would be his fourth and tie him with Yarborough for second-most all-time victories in NASCARs biggest race. Only seven-time winner Richard Petty, also a seven-time NASCAR champion, has more.
Every win that you get here puts you in a certain list, Hamlin said. The list is so small at that four number, it certainly was on my mind on the last lap last year when we were leading, that we are going to get another one. I feel as though the opportunity will be there, and hopefully we can put ourselves in position to move ourselves up that Daytona 500 winners board.
Keselowski races hurt
Brad Keselowski is 0 for 16 in the Daytona 500 and doesn't have great odds Sunday because of a fall he took while on a family ski trip in December.
Keselowski slipped on ice and broke his right leg, and the injury caused him to miss last week's preseason exhibition race. He arrived in Daytona using a cane to walk as he's hurried his recovery time to ensure he wouldn't miss any points-paying races.
When Im in the car, I know Ive got an injury, dont get me wrong, but I feel the best in the car," he said. "The seat is molded to me really well and you get a little adrenaline flowing, so I felt pretty good.
He's raced hurt before: Keselowski broke his ankle in a 2011 crash but raced to a victory at Pocono a few days later. He said the injuries are extremely different.
This is way more serious. When I broke my ankle that sucked. Dont get me wrong, it was very painful, but in a couple weeks, I was fairly mobile, he said. "This is a much more significant injury, unfortunately. Its hard to explain to people that have never broken their femur before what its like.
"A normal broken leg is eight to 12 weeks. This is more like six months, so its just totally different.
Odds and ends
Joey Logano and Chase Elliott won their qualifying races earlier in the week to emerge as strong contenders. ... Dale Jarrett is the last driver to win from the pole in 2000. ... Jimmie Johnson and rookie Connor Zilisch start side-by-side in 31st and 32nd as row 16 pairs the oldest and youngest drivers in the field. Johnson is 50 and Zilisch is 19. ... Logano and his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney are the betting favorites at plus-1200.
___
AP auto racing:
威廉·拜伦（William Byron）本周日将冲击史无前例的戴托纳500三连冠，试图创造NASCAR赛事历史
本周日，威廉·拜伦将冲击NASCAR历史纪录，试图成为首位连续三届赢得戴通纳500大赛的车手。
由于他钟爱的24号赛车在代托纳国际赛道排位赛中受损，他将不得不驾驶备用雪佛兰参赛。
不过，这没什么大不了的：2024年，拜伦（Byron）驾驶亨德里克赛车运动队的备用车赢得了他的首个戴通纳500大赛冠军。
“我们是用备用车赢下这场比赛的，所以这方面我倒不太担心，”拜伦说道，“但确实很遗憾，你在主赛车上投入了大量心血，却没能驾驶它参赛。”
在NASCAR新赛季揭幕战的41辆赛车中，他将排在第39位发车，但对处于车阵末尾并不感到担忧。拜伦（Byron）在赢得过去两届戴通纳500大赛时并未展现出压倒性优势——两场胜利中他总计只领先14圈——他的成功关键在于总能在正确时机出现在正确位置。
在过去的67届戴通纳500赛事中，从未有车手能连续三年赢得“美国伟大赛事”的冠军。1975年的理查德·佩蒂、1985年的凯尔·亚伯勒、1996年的斯特林·马林以及2021年的丹尼·哈姆林均未能实现这一壮举。
"这很难。你需要一些运气眷顾，" 哈姆林在谈到拜伦的夺冠机会时说道，"2021年那次，我真的以为我们能赢。那场比赛我们领跑圈数最多，速度也很快，但最后一次进站策略没能奏效。"
这其中存在一定的运气成分，必须天时地利。去年他在最后一圈幸运地抓住了机会，但只要你跻身前八名，有时就能获得幸运之神的眷顾。关键在于他总能稳居前八之列。
拜伦（Byron）去年可谓横空出世——在加时赛最后一圈开始时，他还位居第九名。然而，前方发生的严重撞车事故让他得以趁机突围，最终在当天仅领先10圈的情况下意外夺魁。
他在2024年比赛中仅领跑4圈，期间名次甚至跌至第34位，但关键时刻再度占据有利位置。最终圈混战中，他成功突围取得领先，恰逢黄旗冻结赛场，最终以黄旗状态锁定胜局。
运气？或许吧。但当机会来临时，能够把握住它更需要技巧。
拜伦表示："尤其是在这条赛道上，我似乎总能遇到一些顺心的事，并在机会来临时做出明智的决定。这既需要身处正确的位置，也要把握住那些能够做出正确抉择的时机。"
拜伦（Byron）近两年的表现堪称华丽逆袭——此前他在代托纳赛道的16次职业生涯发车中仅完成8次，另外8次均因撞车退赛。
拜伦表示："有段时间这简直像个笑话——我在这里总是无法完赛。前六年里我从未完成过比赛，但始终保持在竞争行列。现在我觉得局势终于开始逆转了。"
拜伦（Byron）在竞速赛道上共斩获五场职业胜利——其中两场在亚特兰大，三场在代托纳（包括2020年夏季赛冠军）。但他认为，正是自己掌控气流并巧妙穿越车阵的能力，让他在塔拉迪加赛道占据优势，该站他五次跻身前五名。
拜伦表示：“我觉得我们一度运气不错，而且在高速赛道上表现优异。实际上，这一切始于塔拉迪加站。我认为我们在塔拉迪加站的表现曾持续领先。此前我们在代托纳站总是无法完赛，但自从找到完赛策略后，局势似乎就开始逆转了。”
你只需尽力而为，学习起草文件中的细微差别。我认为自己目前并非最擅长起草工作，仍有更多需要学习之处。
亨德里克赛车运动的所有者里克·亨德里克（Rick Hendrick）曾创下纳斯卡赛事20次戴通纳500冠军的纪录，他认为拜伦在戴通纳的成功并非仅靠运气。他指出，拜伦过去三年一直为纳斯卡冠军而战，并驾驶24号雪佛兰赛车累计赢得了16场职业比赛胜利。
亨德里克表示：“我不确定这是否真能靠运气达成，你必须让自己处于能够做到的位置。威廉作为一名板赛（plate racing）车手可能被低估了，他其实是这个领域最出色的选手之一。如果你观察他在车流中的驾驶方式以及取得的成就——不仅仅是因为他连续两次赢得戴通纳（Daytona）比赛，更因为他始终保持在顶尖水平——他正在变得更加成熟，不，应该说是更加老练。”
布希力图终结连胜荒
凯尔·布施（Kyle Busch）在其21次冲击戴通纳500冠军的征程中首次获得杆位发车资格。此前他20次参赛均未夺冠，这一冠军荒在现役车手中持续时间最长。
更糟的是，布施（Busch）将带着自2023年加盟理查德·柴尔德里斯车队（Richard Childress Racing）首个赛季以来的93场连败纪录进入本周日的比赛。对于这位拥有63次杯赛胜利、两度加冕NASCAR总冠军的车手而言，这段冠军荒无疑令人沮丧。
他10岁的儿子布雷克斯顿（Brexton）——一名崭露头角的赛车手，在赛场内的房车中目睹父亲夺得杆位后，因紧张跌坐在沙发上。布施（Busch）表示，他极度渴望为家人赢得胜利。
这段日子确实艰难。众所周知，对吧？看到我儿子和他所展现的热情，他真的、真的可以说是我最大的支持者，” 布施说道，“他希望我表现出色，希望我赢得比赛，渴望像其他车手的孩子那样在胜利车道庆祝。因此，没有什么比让他看到我、为我感到骄傲更能激励我每个周末全力以赴了。”
此次杆位胜利正值RCR车队试图重返冠军争夺行列之际。自戴尔·恩哈特在戴通纳500最后一圈撞车事故中不幸离世后的25年间，车队的表现一直起伏不定。恩哈特曾为柴尔德里斯车队效力期间，六度斩获总冠军并赢得过一次戴通纳500大赛。
此前从未有车手能在参赛超过20次后首度夺冠——这一纪录直到1998年才被（戴尔·）恩哈特打破。
“这是我们必须完成的任务，”布施说道，他在2019年曾落后于当时的队友哈姆林获得第二名。“现在正是实现这一目标的良机。多年来我多次参加这项赛事，几乎获得过所有可能的名次。如果能以在戴通纳500大赛夺冠开启2026赛季，那就太棒了。”
哈姆林剑指第四冠
哈姆林错失连续第三次赢得戴通纳500赛事的机会，但他仍有其他纪录可以追逐。
若再夺一冠，他将收获个人第四场胜利，并与亚伯勒并列成为NASCAR顶级赛事历史上获胜次数第二多的车手。目前仅有七度夺冠的理查德·佩蒂——这位同样七次问鼎NASCAR总冠军的车手——胜场数多于他们。
“在这里的每一次胜利都会让你进入一个特别的名单，”哈姆林说道，“这份名单上只有四个名字，去年最后一圈我们领先时，我满脑子想的都是要再添一笔。我觉得机会就在眼前，希望我们能把握住，在戴托纳500大赛的冠军榜上更进一步。”
凯瑟洛夫斯基带伤参赛
布拉德·凯瑟洛夫斯基在戴通纳500赛事中16次参赛未尝胜绩，由于去年12月与家人滑雪旅行时意外摔伤，他在本周日的比赛中胜算渺茫。
凯瑟洛夫斯基在冰上滑倒导致右腿骨折，这一伤势使他错过了上周的季前表演赛。为确保不缺席任何积分赛，他加速康复进程，拄着拐杖抵达了代托纳。
他说：“虽然我有伤在身——别误会我的意思——但坐在车里时我感觉最舒服。座椅完美贴合我的身形，再加上一点肾上腺素的刺激，所以感觉相当不错。”
他此前曾带伤参赛：凯瑟洛夫斯基在2011年的一次撞车事故中脚踝骨折，但几天后仍在波科诺赛道夺冠。他表示这次的伤势与当时截然不同。
他说："这次情况要严重得多。之前我脚踝骨折时也很糟糕，别误会，那确实非常疼，但几周后我就能基本活动了。不幸的是，这次伤势要严重得多。对于从未经历过股骨骨折的人，很难向他们描述那种感受。"
普通骨折需要8到12周恢复，而这次伤情更像是需要六个月，情况完全不同。
零碎杂物
乔伊·洛加诺（Joey Logano）与蔡斯·埃利奥特（Chase Elliott）在本周早些时候的排位赛中获胜，成为强劲的冠军争夺者。……戴尔·贾勒特（Dale Jarrett）是最近一位在2000年从杆位出发并夺冠的车手。……吉米·约翰逊（Jimmie Johnson）与新秀康纳·齐利施（Connor Zilisch）将并列第31和32位发车，第16排由此成为全场最年长与最年轻车手的组合——约翰逊50岁，齐利施仅19岁。……洛加诺与其潘世奇车队队友瑞安·布莱尼（Ryan Blaney）以+1200的赔率成为博彩热门。
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