2023 NASCAR Awards Recap: Kyle Larson and William Byron graced the spotlight during the 2023 NASCAR Awards held at Nashville’s Music City Center on Thursday evening.
Both Larson and Byron reflected on their remarkable seasons, highlighting the near-miss moments in pursuit of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship. The televised award ceremony is scheduled to air on Peacock this Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. ET.
“We had a stellar season, leading numerous laps and clinching several victories, including the All-Star Race,” Larson commented. “While we fell short by one spot in the championship, it was an exceptional year overall. I’m eagerly anticipating hitting the track next year and striving for further success.”
Larson’s 2023 triumphs encompassed victories in four races, namely the spring events at Richmond Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as well as playoff conquests at Darlington Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 31-year-old driver’s dominance was also evident in the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Larson’s triumph at Las Vegas secured his spot alongside the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team in the Championship 4 for the second time in three years. Despite his exemplary performance, the 2021 Cup Series champion clinched the runner-up spot in the standings. He led the series in laps led (1,127) and shared the series lead in top-five finishes (15).
Meanwhile, Byron celebrated his most successful Cup Series season to date, securing a commendable third-place finish in the final standings. Turning 26 years old just a day earlier, Byron achieved career-high statistics in wins (six), top-five finishes (15), top-10s (21), laps led (1,016), average finish (11.0), and stage wins (nine). He outshone all Cup Series drivers in 2023 in wins, top-10 finishes, average finish, and stage wins. Byron’s victories were scattered across the spring races at Las Vegas, Phoenix Raceway, and Darlington, along with summertime triumphs at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International. His playoff conquest at Texas Motor Speedway secured his debut appearance in the Championship 4 within his sixth Cup Series season.
“Trusting our process was crucial,” Byron emphasized when asked about the contributing factors behind his exceptional season. “As a team, we gained confidence and developed a fantastic camaraderie. With the unwavering support and resources from Mr. Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, we capitalized on numerous opportunities. While I relished this achievement, the hunger for more success remains.”
Chase Elliott continued his legacy by claiming the 2023 National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters for the sixth consecutive season. This win marked the 18th time that a Hendrick Motorsports driver earned this prestigious honor, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. securing 10 victories for the organization and Darrell Waltrip twice. The Elliott family’s dominance in this regard continued, with a total of 22 Most Popular Driver Awards (Bill Elliott holding the record with 16 wins).
The 2023 NASCAR Awards ceremony served as the official finale to the Cup Series’ 75th anniversary season. The on-track action for the 2024 season is set to kick off on Sunday, Feb. 4, with the exhibition Clash at the Coliseum in Los Angeles.
