Hendrick Motorsports announced Friday that it has locked in a long-term future with one of its brightest stars. William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet and back-to-back Daytona 500 champion, has signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him with the organization through the 2029 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Since making his full-time Cup debut in 2018, Byron has quickly become one of the top competitors in the garage. Now 27 years old, he’s earned 14 career Cup Series wins — 13 of which have come since 2021 with crew chief Rudy Fugle. The duo ranks second in total victories at the Cup level during that span.
“We’ve really built something special with this No. 24 team,” Byron said in a statement. “I’m grateful for everyone at Hendrick Motorsports — especially Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick — for their belief in me. We’ve had some amazing moments together, but we know there’s still a lot more to chase. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Byron made headlines again in February when he won the Daytona 500 for the second straight year, becoming the 13th driver in history to win the race more than once, and the first to go back-to-back since Denny Hamlin did it in 2019 and 2020. That victory all but secured his spot in the 2025 playoffs, and as of now, he sits second in the Cup Series standings, trailing only Hendrick teammate Kyle Larson.
Since 2019, Byron has made the playoffs every year, with Championship 4 appearances in both 2022 and 2023. Prior to his Cup Series rise, he earned the 2017 Xfinity Series title and racked up 11 combined wins across Xfinity and the Craftsman Truck Series.
Team owner Rick Hendrick had high praise for his driver: “William is the real deal. He’s incredibly talented, but what separates him is his drive. He doesn’t just rely on natural ability — he outworks everyone. That’s what you see in the greats. He’s also a tremendous person and a respected leader in our organization. We’re thrilled to keep building with him.”
The timing of the announcement coincides with one of NASCAR’s biggest weekends, as teams prepare for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway — just down the road from the Hendrick Motorsports campus.