Byron Scores 4th Season-Win at a Rain-Shortened Atlanta
William Byron overcame an early spin and damage to his No. 24 Chevrolet to clinch victory in the rain-shortened Quaker State 400 available at Walmart at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday night.
As a storm approached the 1.54-mile track, Byron seized the lead from AJ Allmendinger on Lap 167, which he maintained until an accident involving Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Preece, and Bubba Wallace caused the seventh caution of the race on Lap 178.
As rain began to fall more heavily, NASCAR red-flagged the race at 9:47 p.m. after completing 185 of the scheduled 260 laps due to severe weather in the area. Byron’s triumph marked his second win at Atlanta and his eighth career win, making him the first four-time winner of the series this season.
When NASCAR called the race, Daniel Suárez took second place, followed by Allmendinger in third. Michael McDowell and Kyle Busch rounded out the top five.
Byron’s crew chief, Rudy Fugle, made a pivotal pit call on Lap 125 under caution, enabling Byron to restart fourth on Lap 165 after half the field had pitted on Lap 161. This strategy ultimately propelled Byron to take the lead two laps later.
Despite his early challenges, including spinning through the grass and losing a lap, Byron managed to regain his lost circuit after being the beneficiary under caution for Kyle Larson’s spin on Lap 92.
Reflecting on the eventful race, Byron expressed his gratitude for the team’s efforts and strategic decisions, emphasizing the significance of handling on the repaved racing surface. He also acknowledged that the win was a result of perseverance despite the setbacks.
Richard Childress, team owner, kicked off the race with pace laps in the No. 29 Chevrolet that marked Kevin Harvick’s career launch in 2001 after Dale Earnhardt’s passing. Harvick, who is retiring from Cup racing at the end of the season, finished 30th after a late spin.
Post-race tech inspection confirmed Byron’s victory without issue. The Nos. 6 and 47 cars will undergo further evaluation at the NASCAR R&D Center.
