William Byron ended his run of five races without a top-10 result by driving to an impressive third-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, marking a career best at the track and boosting his position in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The William Byron New Hampshire finish saw the Hendrick Motorsports driver start fifth and consistently battle at the front, earning crucial stage points and moving him to second in the playoff standings, just behind Ryan Blaney.
Byron Breaks Through at the Magic Mile
Sunday’s race at New Hampshire represented a significant turnaround for William Byron, who had previously struggled at the track known as the Magic Mile. Before this event, his best finish at New Hampshire was 11th over eight starts, and his previous two attempts resulted in 24th and 26th place finishes. Entering the Round of 12 race, expectations for a top performance were modest at best.
Despite these historical statistics, Byron shifted momentum from the start. He put his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet inside the top five early, maintaining that position throughout the event. He finished third in both the first and second stages, collecting vital points for his playoff campaign. By day’s end, Byron climbed to second in the overall standings, securing a comfortable 47-point cushion above the elimination line, with Ryan Blaney leading the way.
“Yeah, it was a good day. I mean it was a good day overall. I felt like a lot of things that we’ve kind of been building on, on the short tracks, we’re working for it.”
— William Byron, Driver
“I think this place is tricky, I think the other series have been good, but this place in the cup car has been difficult for us. So yeah, just tryna build little bits here and there.”
— William Byron, Driver
Maintaining Steady Progress through the Playoff Battle
William Byron’s approach to the Round of 12 has been marked by persistence. As the reigning regular season champion, he began the playoffs with a series of modest finishes—21st at Darlington, 11th at Gateway, and 12th at Bristol—barely maintaining the form expected of a title contender. Before the New Hampshire race, Byron remained in a relatively secure position, 24 points above the playoff cutline, but without a top-10 finish at the venue.
Despite the pressure, Byron set an assertive tone early in the New Hampshire weekend. He topped the board in Saturday’s final practice with a speed of 127.834 mph and backed up his pace with a qualifying run that placed him fifth on the starting grid. This steady preparation reflected the team’s determination to turn the tides on their short track struggles.
“Things are beginning to point up for the No. 24 team. @WilliamByron (P3) ends a five.”
— NASCAR official X account
“It’s kind of a marathon, within itself. Like there’s so many steps to this deal. So, the way this format is you just have to keep advancing and just hopefully you’re at your best when it counts.”
— William Byron, Driver (to Bob Pockrass)
What This Breakthrough Means for Byron and Hendrick Motorsports
The third-place William Byron New Hampshire finish reveals the impact of continuous improvement for both driver and team. Byron’s efforts to strengthen performance on short tracks, historically a weak point for him and for Hendrick Motorsports, are starting to show tangible results. With his playoff points boosted and momentum on his side, Byron has emerged as a more resilient contender heading deeper into the postseason.
This result also provides confidence for the No. 24 team as they face subsequent playoff challenges. With critical stage points from both Stage 1 and Stage 2, and a demonstration that strategic race management can yield results even at challenging venues, Byron and his Hendrick Motorsports crew look poised to sustain their championship aspirations as the playoffs advance.
As attention now turns to the upcoming races, fellow competitors like Ryan Blaney and teams from organizations such as NASCAR, Sportskeeda, and ESPN will be closely watching Byron’s continued efforts. The shift in performance at New Hampshire serves notice that Byron remains a formidable presence in this year’s championship pursuit.
Things are beginning to point up for the No. 24 team. @WilliamByron (P3) ends a five-race streak without a top-10 finish. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/c7z7EcCcSx
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025
