William Byron delivered an impressive performance by securing second place in qualifying for the Texas NASCAR Cup race on Saturday, coming within just 0.014 seconds of the pole position. The high-energy session unfolded at Texas Motor Speedway, where Carson Hocevar claimed his dramatic first career pole, setting a blistering lap time of 28.174 seconds in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. Byron, driving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, ensured a front-row lockout for Team Chevy as both drivers dominated the field, intensifying anticipation for Sunday’s main event.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement as William Byron narrowly missed the top spot, demonstrating his consistency and remarkable speed throughout the qualifying run. Byron has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic drivers in the Cup Series, and his strong performance in Texas underscores his determination and growing stature in the sport. Many fans and industry insiders are taking note of Byron’s strategy and cool-headed execution, especially in such a high-stakes environment.
Carson Hocevar, who edged out Byron for pole, expressed just how much the achievement meant for his team and career. “It’s really big,” Hocevar beamed.
It’s really big for these guys. It’s super impressive for what they’ve been able to do. This is the same group on pit road, off pit road, at the shop—everyone working on the No. 77 is exactly the same as when I started here. It’s just huge where we’ve been able to bring this team.
Hocevar also acknowledged past challenges, saying,
I’ve never been number one pit stall and I’ve had a lot of issues on pit road. We’ve had a lot of bad luck, so I finally get the number one pit stall and I’m pumped about that.
Following the lead pair, recent Talladega winner Austin Cindric posted the third-fastest time, solidifying a strong showing for Ford. Kyle Larson, another perennial contender, placed fourth. Hocevar’s teammate, Michael McDowell, completed the top five. Ty Gibbs led the Toyota camp in sixth, trailed by Josh Berry, Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, and AJ Allmendinger, rounding out a fiercely competitive top ten. Significantly, defending Texas winner Chase Elliott faces a tough challenge after qualifying 29th; however, last year he stormed from 24th on the grid to claim victory, demonstrating that anything can happen once the green flag drops.
Other big names will confront their own uphill battles on Sunday. Ryan Blaney qualified 24th, Kyle Busch 26th, Joey Logano 27th, Brad Keselowski 30th, and Ross Chastain 31st—all highly capable racers seeking redemption after disappointing qualifying results. Yet, history at Texas has shown that starting position does not always determine the winner, especially in the unpredictable era of Next Gen cars.
For William Byron, Saturday’s result highlights his ability to perform under pressure, setting him up as a clear contender for victory. Byron’s performance signals confidence in the Hendrick Motorsports camp, where engineers and strategists have worked tirelessly to deliver results. His calculated risks and steadfast focus have repeatedly put him in strong starting positions, and the Texas outcome further strengthens his reputation as a championship threat.
The qualifying session concluded without any on-track incidents, a testament to the drivers’ composure despite the intensity. Notably, in the last three years, the Texas pole winner has not converted the starting advantage into a Cup Series win—a pattern both Byron and Hocevar hope to break. Adding to the intrigue, Hocevar is the only Cup driver who also ran the Truck race on Friday, gaining extra track experience that might translate into race-day success.
As race day approaches, the buzz surrounding William Byron’s front-row start is unmistakable. His close pursuit of the pole demonstrates both speed and ambition, making him a focal point for fans and analysts. If Byron can channel his qualifying pace into race-day performance, the Texas NASCAR Cup could mark another defining chapter in his quickly rising career. With many contenders starting deeper in the field, Byron is in prime position to capitalize, promising a thrilling showdown when the green flag waves.
