William Byron Captures Martinsville Win

Forty years ago at Martinsville Speedway, Geoff Bodine delivered Chevrolet-powered Hendrick Motorsports its first victory. In Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at the historic track, William Byron led a 1-2-3 finish for the organization as it celebrated its ruby anniversary.

Byron qualified his No. 24 Camaro ZL1 in the 18th position but climbed steadily forward on the 0.526-mile oval in Ridgeway, Virginia, scoring eighth-place points in each of the race’s first two stages. As the race neared its conclusion, Byron’s crew chief Rudy Fugle used the strategy “be the first to pit last” and brought his driver down pit road as the final round of stops began. Byron eventually inherited the lead on Lap 327 and survived an overtime restart to take the win over his teammate Kyle Larson by 0.550 seconds. Fellow Hendrick driver Chase Elliott came home third. 
 
The win was Byron’s series-leading third of the season and 13th of his career. It came in front of approximately 1,500 current and former Hendrick employees on hand at Martinsville.

“It’s awesome and it’s way bigger than me,” said Byron, who led a race-high 88 laps. “There are so many men and women that this is a tribute to with all the hard work in the shop. It’s just a really good environment to work in. They have built something so special over the years, and I am thankful to be a part of it and drive the No. 24. It’s pretty special.” 
 
The win was Hendrick Motorsports’ 29th Cup Series victory at Martinsville – the most of any team at any track – and its sweep of the podium positions was the first time a single organization had accomplished that feat at the facility. In addition, Alex Bowman drove his Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 to an eighth-place result to put four Team Chevy drivers in the top-10. 
 
Byron’s win was the fifth for Chevrolet in eight races this season. It was also Hendrick’s 305th all-time victory and Chevrolet’s 856th triumph in NASCAR’s premier series. Both are series records.

“On behalf of everyone at Chevrolet, congratulations to Rick and the entire Hendrick Motorsports organization on such a special win at Martinsville Speedway,” said Jim Campbell, General Motors U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “Forty years ago, Geoff Bodine’s victory at Martinsville started a legacy that’s led Hendrick Motorsports to the title as the winningest organization in NASCAR Cup Series history with 305 victories and 14 championships – all in partnership with Chevrolet. 
 
“Today’s win by William Byron and the No. 24 Axalta Camaro ZL1 is extremely special for everyone at Chevrolet. We congratulate Rick and Hendrick Motorsports on 40 years of success.” 
 
Even early in 2024, Hendrick Motorsports and the Team Chevy camp already look to be in championship form as evidenced by Sunday’s milestone victory. 
 
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