William Byron, a standout driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, is set to experience major changes with his sponsorship lineup in 2026 as Liberty University will dramatically scale back its longstanding support. Hendrick Motorsports announced that the educational institution, which has partnered with Byron continuously for more than ten years, will serve as the primary sponsor for just three races next season—a pivotal shift in the William Byron NASCAR sponsorship changes landscape.
Long-Standing Partnership Sees Major Cutbacks
Liberty University’s backing of William Byron began in his earliest racing ventures, staying with him through the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Their loyalty extended into Byron’s ascent to the NASCAR Cup Series, establishing a remarkable pattern of consistency compared to many racing sponsorships. In recent years, however, the partnership has started to shrink.
After appearing on Byron’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in a dozen events during the 2024 season, Liberty University trimmed its support to six races in 2025. The latest announcement now halves even that number. For 2026, Liberty branding will appear at just three tracks: Watkins Glen International on May 10, Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, and Martinsville Speedway on November 1. This marks the lowest level of engagement since the partnership began.
Official Announcements and Immediate Reactions
The update was shared on Thursday through a statement jointly released by Hendrick Motorsports and Liberty University, confirming the three-race slate for the upcoming season. Fans swiftly took notice when social media reflected the change, as seen in the post:
“Hey LibertyU and @TeamHendrick fans! 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season champion and two-time DAYTONA 500 winner @WilliamByron will be racing the LU24 Chevrolet for three races in 2026 – check out the schedule now!” — Hendrick Motorsports/Liberty University Joint Statement
“#NASCAR… Liberty University is scaling back its sponsorship of William Byron in 2026, only backing the No. 24 in three NASCAR Cup Series events.https://t.co/AAtzNEcjkH” — TobyChristie.com (@TobyChristieCom)
Replacement Sponsors and the Shift to a Diversified Backing
Despite Liberty University’s reduction in appearance, Byron’s No. 24 car will carry a variety of other sponsors in 2026. These include Raptor Coatings, Valvoline, Anduril, All-Pro Auto Reconditioning, Phorm Energy, Cincinnati Inc., and Z by HP. This more diversified sponsor lineup minimizes the impact of Liberty’s withdrawal and demonstrates the team’s ability to attract commercial interest even amid changes in lead partners.
Context: Turbulence at Liberty University Influences Decisions
This sponsorship contraction follows several challenging years for Liberty University off the track. Since 2021, the institution has faced growing negative publicity alongside record enrollment. In 2024, authorities fined the school $14 million for violating the Clery Act, citing failures in crime reporting and mishandled safety protocols, causing federal oversight through 2026. Another setback arrived in 2025 when Liberty was required to pay a $15 million settlement connected to former president Jerry Falwell Jr. and events from 2020.
Instead of a total financial collapse, Liberty University faces mounting reputational and legal troubles that have evidently forced difficult budget decisions. The reduction in motorsports investment, particularly in high-visibility partnerships like with NASCAR and Byron, is seen as a practical response to these ongoing burdens.
On-Track Performance Remains Strong Amid Off-Track Changes
William Byron has remained a top performer, finishing in the top four for each of the past three seasons and achieving back-to-back Daytona 500 wins in 2024 and 2025. Despite these individual accomplishments, the pressure on his sponsor has proven too great to sustain its former level of support. Hendrick Motorsports continues to express confidence in keeping the No. 24 car well-funded through other partnerships even as the team’s longtime association with Liberty University is scaled back further.
The Road Ahead for Byron and Liberty University in NASCAR
The reactions to the William Byron NASCAR sponsorship changes underscore shifting dynamics across professional racing, where outside factors such as organizational scandals, legal settlements, and federal oversight increasingly affect sponsorship strategies. For 2026, all eyes will be on Byron and Hendrick Motorsports as they navigate a season with a leaner, more varied sponsor lineup and watch how Liberty University balances its NASCAR commitments amid an environment of scrutiny and reform.
#NASCAR… Liberty University is scaling back its sponsorship of William Byron in 2026, only backing the No. 24 in three NASCAR Cup Series events.https://t.co/AAtzNEcjkH
— TobyChristie.com (@TobyChristieCom) December 17, 2025
