Byron Scores First-Ever Road Course Victory at Watkins Glen
William Byron has added another impressive achievement to his 2023 season, securing his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series road course victory in a commanding performance at Watkins Glen International in New York on Sunday. This victory marks his fifth win of the season, making him the leader in the NASCAR Cup Series for the most wins this season. It’s also his most successful season so far in his six-year career in the top series of NASCAR.
The 25-year-old native of Charlotte, North Carolina, faced tough competition, notably from Denny Hamlin, a championship contender. Byron managed to hold off Hamlin by a significant margin of 2.632 seconds, displaying his prowess on the track. He led an impressive 66 out of the 90 laps in the race, extending his lead over the competition with each lap in the final 10-lap run to the finish line.
Reflecting on his achievement, Byron commented, “Yeah, I would have to think about that a little bit though. But it definitely feels really good, just a huge credit to the race team behind me.” He also expressed gratitude towards Max Papis, acknowledging the effort put into achieving his first road course win after years of dedication.
Byron’s victory is especially timely as the series heads into the Playoffs. He highlighted the challenges faced during the summer months but emphasized that this weekend’s success was a result of a positive mindset and preparation for the postseason.
Denny Hamlin’s second-place finish keeps the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season championship still undecided. He is trailing his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Martin Truex Jr., by 39 points as they head into the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway.
Christopher Bell secured the third position, followed by A.J. Allmendinger and Ty Gibbs in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Martin Truex finished sixth, with Chris Buescher, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano rounding out the top 10.
Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick secured their positions in the 2023 Playoffs based on points, leaving only one spot to be determined in the regular-season finale. Bubba Wallace solidified his position in 16th place in the points standings, which could lead to his first Playoff berth.
However, not all teams had a smooth day. Chase Elliott from Hendrick Motorsports faced challenges due to a fuel miscalculation, finishing 32nd and dropping to 21st in the standings. He will need to win the upcoming superspeedway race at Daytona to secure a Playoff spot. Daniel Suárez from Trackhouse Racing also encountered issues, finishing 22nd after an off-course incident. He faces a 43-point deficit and the need for a victory to enter the Playoffs.
Joe Gibbs Racing rookie Ty Gibbs, who performed exceptionally in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, finished fifth in the Cup Series race and is now 32 points behind Wallace, still within Playoff reach.
The NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale, the Coke Zero Sugar 400, will take place at Daytona International Speedway, setting the stage for the 2023 Playoff field of 16 drivers.
