William Byron’s pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive victory at the Daytona 500 took a troubling detour Thursday night, raising doubts about his ability to secure a Daytona 500 three-peat. The Hendrick Motorsports star, who drives the iconic #24, suffered a major setback after a multi-car crash during the opening Duels at Daytona, forcing him to rely on a backup car and start at the back of the field on Sunday.
Major Crash in Duels Disrupts Byron’s Historic Run
William Byron entered Daytona with an opportunity to become the first driver in NASCAR history to win The Great American Race three years running, having clinched the event in both of the two previous seasons. But in a dramatic turn during lap 57 of the first Duel, Byron was part of a crash involving Bubba Wallace and Austin Dillon that left his Raptor Chevrolet with heavy damage and ended his hopes for a strong starting position.
The aftermath of the accident saw Byron limping across the line in 22nd place. Due to the damage, Hendrick Motorsports made the call to roll out a backup car. By NASCAR rules, this shift also means Byron will start at the rear for the Daytona 500, regardless of his result in the Duel event. The disappointment was palpable for a driver aiming to make history amid intense competition at one of racing’s crown jewel events.
In-Between the Wreckage: Byron Reveals His Perspective
The chain reaction began as Bubba Wallace, piloting the #23 Toyota, edged towards the front thanks to a push from Austin Dillon in the #3. That push proved excessive, causing Wallace’s car to spin and trigger a major incident in the densely packed field. Byron, who had been holding sixth place at the time, recounted the chaos that unfolded in front of him for FOX sports reporter Bob Pockrass. Sitting on the outside line, Byron’s path intersected with Chris Buescher’s spinning #17, sending Byron hard against the retaining wall.
I kinda straightened it out up against the wall and then they [Buescher] hit me again, and it spun, so just a bummer,
Byron added.
While Bubba Wallace and Austin Dillon managed to finish the event, Byron and Buescher both registered DNFs, finishing 22nd and 23rd, respectively. Joey Logano capitalized on the chaos and emerged the winner of Duel 1, setting himself up favorably heading into Sunday’s main event.
Facing the Daytona 500 in a Backup Car—Again
The wreck forced Hendrick Motorsports—a frequent powerhouse in the NASCAR Cup Series—to prepare their backup #24 Chevrolet, pulling Byron from his hard-prepared primary machine. Despite the blow to his three-peat ambitions and disappointment over losing a car built specifically for this track, Byron pointed out that he’s overcome similar obstacles before.
We’ve won this race with a backup car, so I’m not super worried about that aspect, but it does suck that you put a lot of work into the primary and you don’t get to race it,
Byron said.
There is recent precedent for Byron’s optimism: he previously claimed the Daytona 500 crown from a backup car, conquering adversity after an earlier Duel crash. However, this time, the introduction of Chevrolet’s updated Camaro ZL1 body complicates matters for Chevy teams on the superspeedway, leaving unknowns about performance and handling for drivers accustomed to last season’s platform.
Byron explained that he was unable to properly evaluate the new car during his brief run, given the unpredictability and rambunctiousness in the draft on Thursday night:
I didn’t really push, or get pushed, as much as I would’ve liked. Honestly, it looked like a lot of the cars were just super unstable getting pushed and I noticed that from the beginning. It just seemed like guys were moving around a lot. My car felt fine, but I never got a chance to get up there and control it,
Byron said.
What Comes Next for the Daytona 500 and Byron’s Historic Bid
Sunday’s Daytona 500 is set for February 15, with the green flag expected at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. Byron’s hopes for a Daytona 500 three-peat, now cast into doubt by Thursday’s Duel incident, remain a major storyline. He will start from the back, joining a talented field that also includes Joey Logano and others eager to block his ascent to history.
Fans can watch the race live on FOX or listen through the Motor Racing Network. As Byron and Hendrick Motorsports regroup with their backup car, the NASCAR world waits to see if the 16-time Cup Series winner can rebound, rewrite the story, and carve his name in the record books of The Great American Race. The unfolding events at Daytona not only shape this year’s winner but offer a testament to the unpredictable and emotional nature of motorsport’s marquee event.
Trouble in Duel No. 1! Bubba Wallace takes the lead … then chaos. pic.twitter.com/ETpQxwiJsA
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 13, 2026
William Byron on his wreck in the first duel and having to go to a backup car for the Daytona 500. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/Mpxodf1xOy
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 13, 2026
Buescher and Byron to backups. Cars being repaired from first duel include Chastain, Suarez, Allmendinger, Wallace and Mears.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 13, 2026
