Byron Stars in Hendrick Motorsports’ Storybook Day at Martinsville Speedway
Credit: MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - APRIL 07: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Ruby Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 07, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
Storybook.
That’s the only way to describe it.
On the weekend that Hendrick Motorsports celebrated the 40th anniversary of its first NASCAR Cup Series victory, driver William Byron led a 1-2-3 overtime finish for the team in Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway.
“Just so proud of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports,” Byron said after climbing out of his Axalta Ruby Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. “Grew up a big Hendrick fan. To be here for the 40th anniversary, all that goes into just this organization, all the people, it’s all about the people. Just want to thank Mr. Hendrick and Linda and everyone involved.
“It’s pretty awesome and it’s way bigger than me. 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.”
Even though he wanted to win, runner-up Kyle Larson said being part of the Hendrick trifecta at the finish on a day when about 1,500 employees and their families were at the track was special.
“Yeah, no doubt. To get a 1-2-3 there with William, Chase and I, just a great day for Hendrick Motorsports. It’s been a great 40 seasons for them. Really cool to have 1,500 people here from Hendrick Motorsports to celebrate.”
“Solid day,” Larson continued. “Congrats to Rick Hendrick, Linda, all of Hendrick Motorsports. Everybody here at the racetrack, as well as back at home. Awesome day.
“It will be a long night of celebrating and taking pictures and all that, but we are excited for Hendrick Motorsports and I am happy to contribute to a good day.”
Credit: MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - APRIL 07: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Ruby Chevrolet, Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 UniFirst Ruby Chevrolet, Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Ruby Chevrolet, and William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Ruby Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 07, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Added Chase Elliott, who came home third, “Really cool for HMS to get a win on the 40th (anniversary) weekend. Wish it could have been us, but I am proud of a couple top fives these last couple weeks. We’ll try to keep it rolling.”
Alex Bowman, the fourth Hendrick driver in Sunday’s race, finished eighth.
It marked the first time an organization has swept the top three finishing positions in a Cup Series race at Martinsville. But it wasn’t the first time Hendrick has finished 1-2-3. Jeff Gordon led a Hendrick sweep in winning the 1997 Daytona 500 over teammates Terry Labonte and Ricky Craven.
Now vice-chairman at Hendrick Motorsports, the day took Gordon back to when he was scoring big, memorable wins for the team from behind the steering wheel.
“It’s obviously pretty surreal. I felt like I was in the car there about 50, 60 laps to go because it reminded me of when you’re leading and you feel like you’re going to do something really, really special. You start thinking about the moment, what it means. You start getting choked up a little bit. I was like, Stop, stop, stop, can’t think that, we got a long way to go here. Usually it’s not that easy, and it wasn’t.
“There’s just so many things wrapped up in the emotions of what today meant,” Gordon continued, “from just the time spent with Rick and Linda planning for 40th anniversary, talking about all of our drivers who have won, what Martinsville means to this company, planning this day, having all of our folks here.
“Then the day comes, the weekend comes, and you just go, How in the world did it all happen like this? I mean, I know our folks are super talented and they work really, really hard. Kind of glad we got beat kind of bad last year in the fall because I think that really made them go to work and get ready for this event.
“I don’t even know where to begin honestly. There’s so many things that are special. Immediately looked up on the hill and saw all those ruby red shirts (worn by Hendrick employees and their families) just going nuts. Now they’re out there waiting to have a picture with our whole organization. You just cannot plan it any better, script it any better.
“Of course, when I talked to Rick, hearing his excitement and joy of how special this was, how proud he is of us, this incredible legacy that he’s put in kind of our hands to nurture and take care of and try to keep it going.”
Credit: MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - APRIL 07: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Ruby Chevrolet, and crew celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 07, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Told before the race by his positive-thinking girlfriend, Ashley, that the script was written and he would win the race, Byron had his doubts.
“I was like, I don’t know how you had that panned out with us starting 18th, can’t pass at this racetrack. It just worked out.
“Seriously, it’s just a lot of hard work, attention to detail. When you walk in the doors at Hendrick Motorsports, it is just fascinating to me how clean everything is, how nice everything is, then how the culture is with the people inside there. Being able to go up to anyone and ask a question. There’s a real racer’s mindset to go fast and compete, but at the same time they took me in with open arms when I was 20 years old, made me feel at home.
“I think that’s special. You don’t have that everywhere.”
On Sunday, it was Byron who played the lead at Hendrick Motorsports. The win was his series-leading third this season and 13th of his career. But what made the day special for Gordon was the supporting role the cast on the hill in turn two played in the Hollywood-worthy story.
“To see our folks rally behind this milestone and this moment, this day, get on buses early this morning and come up here. Listen, the music was going. They were partying up there pretty early. They had a good time.
“To be able to cap that off with the victory, like what this is going to do for our company is incredible, right? To be able to have them that engaged with a day like today, our history, but also making history at the same time.”