William Byron, the accomplished driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports car, has spoken openly about how observing Scottie Scheffler’s approach to golf has contributed to his own growth and the development of his William Byron NASCAR mindset. Recently, Byron explained that studying Scheffler, a top PGA golfer and four-time major champion, has played a key role in the way he prepares for both the physical and mental challenges of NASCAR competitions.
Scheffler holds a dominant presence in golf, having maintained his status as world number one for more than 150 weeks and collecting six tournament victories in 2025 alone, including two major championships. During the buildup to The Open in North Carolina—a tournament also attended by Byron’s fellow NASCAR competitor Kyle Larson—Byron paid close attention to the work ethic and mindset displayed by Scheffler.
Process-Oriented Preparation Inspired by Scottie Scheffler
In a recent conversation with Golf Channel, Byron reflected on what he learns by watching golf and, in particular, following Scheffler’s routines and mindset. He described how Scheffler’s process-driven outlook impacts his own approach to racing.
“I love watching golf and love watching the Golf Channel too. Watched a lot over the holidays… Honestly for me, watching Scotty, I think just hearing his mindset and some of the things he’s talked about and how he kind of keeps things in perspective. For me, he’s very process driven and I feel like that’s a huge asset… and I feel like the results come from that. So, I enjoy kind of watching how he plays. I watched a video with Ted Scott, his caddy, over the holidays, kind of talking through his mindset. So, it’s cool to watch them work.”
– William Byron, NASCAR Driver
This philosophy resonates strongly with Byron in the high-pressure, fast-paced world of NASCAR, where maintaining focus and trusting the process are crucial to success. Studying the habits of an elite athlete from another discipline has provided Byron with insights into remaining levelheaded, focusing on execution, and letting strong results follow.
The Influence of Golf on Byron’s Approach and Mindset
Byron has developed a strong connection to golf, often using it as both a training tool and a personal escape from the rigors of the NASCAR schedule. He is candid about the mental shift it requires compared to racing and how it helps cultivate persistence and patience, both vital on the racetrack.
“My dad would give me a hard time growing up. He’s like, ‘You don’t have the patience for playing this game.’ I would get angry and maybe throw a club here and there. As I grew older, it honestly takes me to a whole another place mindset-wise than racing does. I love the competition of golf and competing against yourself. I just love hitting a pure shot.”
– William Byron, NASCAR Driver
During NASCAR’s offseason, Byron spends frequent weekends on the golf course, appreciating it as a major counterbalance to the intensity of racing. He puts in practice several times a week and rates his game as consistently solid, with an average score of around 82. This commitment to golf, coupled with his preparation for the NASCAR Cup Series, allows Byron to approach both sports with a renewed mental strength.
Consistency and Momentum in Recent NASCAR Seasons
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series saw Byron demonstrate the same consistency that he admires in Scheffler. The No. 24 team earned three victories, finished in the top five eleven times, achieved sixteen top-ten finishes, and led a total of 1,330 laps across the season. Byron’s most notable moment was clinching his second consecutive Daytona 500 title, joining a select group of only five drivers who have earned back-to-back wins in that event.
He also took home the regular season title and concluded the year ranked fourth in the overall standings. As the NASCAR season break winds down, Byron is using the final weeks to play golf and mentally recharge before returning to the track.
Chasing History: The Quest for Three Daytona 500 Wins
With another season on the horizon, William Byron is focused on achieving a feat no other NASCAR driver has managed: winning the Daytona 500 three years in succession. For Byron, the history of Daytona is filled with unpredictability, and he acknowledges that winning hinges on staying poised through chaos and taking advantage of late-race opportunities.
“Daytona is unpredictable, so you just have to keep yourself in the race until the end,”
he added in the interview.
“That’s always my mindset going there, try to stay in the hunt. And, if we’re fortunate enough to be around at the end and have a shot to win it, it would definitely be amazing. So, little bit of pressure going into this year.”
– William Byron, NASCAR Driver
Byron’s victories at Daytona have come not through dominating every lap—he led a combined 14 laps in his 2024 and 2025 wins—but by maintaining a strategic position and being prepared to seize the moment when the opportunity arose. As the 2026 season approaches, Byron acknowledges the immense challenge and the excitement of striving to make NASCAR history.
The Broader Impact of Byron’s Cross-Disciplinary Mindset
William Byron’s story highlights the increasingly common practice of top athletes drawing inspiration from peers in other sports. By taking lessons from Scottie Scheffler and the game of golf, Byron demonstrates how adopting a process-oriented mindset can elevate performance, regardless of discipline. This approach benefits not only his own results but also encourages fellow drivers and sports professionals to seek growth outside their primary field.
With the anticipation for NASCAR’s return and his eyes set on a historic third Daytona 500 win, Byron’s fusion of racing expertise and a refined, focused mindset ensures he remains a prominent figure to watch in the upcoming season.
