William Byron thrives on memorable moments. Last year, he delivered Hendrick Motorsports’ historic 300th NASCAR Cup Series win at Texas Motor Speedway.
He recently repeated the feat at Martinsville Speedway’s CookOut 400. In a race that stretched into overtime, Byron led a dominant team 1-2-3 sweep – a perfect present for the organisation’s 40th anniversary in NASCAR’s top series.
A massive crowd of staff and fans cheered from their vantage point overlooking Turn 2 as they witnessed a record-breaking feat, where Hendrick became the first team to monopolise the podium in a Cup race at Martinsville.
Byron’s victory cemented Hendrick Motorsports’ status as Martinsville masters, marking their 29th success at the track – the most for an organisation at a single NASCAR venue.
An early pit-stop on Lap 297 proved to be the winning move for Byron in his Chevrolet. While Denny Hamlin cruised in the lead, Hendrick crew chief Rudy Fugle gambled, bringing in Byron as the first of the lead-lap drivers to get fuel and fresh tyres.
The bold move paid off, allowing Byron to jump ahead of the pack with Hendrick teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott following suit during the next lap.
The early stops propelled the Hendrick trio past Hamlin, who pitted later on lap 299 and couldn’t claw his way back into podium contention.
A late caution for John Hunter Nemechek’s Turn 4 crash on Lap 398 of 400 sent the race into overtime, but the drama was short-lived. Byron held onto his lead, securing his third win of the season, his second at Martinsville and the 13th of his Cup Series career.
Starting outside the top ten, Byron navigated pit stops and on-track battles, eventually overtaking Daniel Suarez to take the lead on lap 327 before the Mexican came to pit road.
Byron held the top spot for the next 86 laps, building a comfortable lead. After Elliott was credited with leading lap 413 at the overtime restart, Byron proved his mettle and surged ahead for the final two circuits, crossing the finish line a half-second clear of Larson.
He held a lead of more than two seconds before the fifth and final caution of the race. On the overtime restart, he survived a bump from Elliott, who slipped to third behind Larson at the finish.
The race wasn’t short on other exciting battles. Bubba Wallace secured a strong fourth-place finish, followed by reigning champion Ryan Blaney.
The top ten also included Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, Ryan Preece and Chase Briscoe, while Hamlin, who pitted for fresh tyres before the overtime, finished 11th.
Cam Waters’ NASCAR Debut Marks a Milestone in Global Expansion Plans
Supercars Championship ace Cam Waters made his much-anticipated NASCAR debut – one that the Australian driver wouldn’t forget in a hurry.
Waters’ participation in the race grabbed international headlines and also signalled NASCAR’s continued efforts to expand its reach beyond North America.
Despite a nervous twist during his debut race at Martinsville Speedway, Waters’ entry into the series underscores NASCAR’s growing appeal on the international stage.
The 29-year-old Australian Supercars contender embarked on his NASCAR journey with plenty of enthusiasm following a visit to Martinsville Speedway last year, where he was captivated by the energy and excitement of the event.
Driving a for ThorSport Racing Ford F-150, Waters demonstrated his potential by starting 22nd on the grid and consistently running within the top 15 throughout the race.
However, his debut was marred by an unfortunate crash with 24 laps remaining, although it was nothing the Australian didn’t expect considering the highly unpredictable nature of the motorsport.
Despite the setback, Waters remains eager to make his mark in NASCAR, aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Supercars aces Marcos Ambrose and Shane Van Gisbergen, who have successfully transitioned to compete full-time in NASCAR.
If Waters makes a permanent switch to NASCAR, his experience outside the American racing scene could bring a valuable new perspective to the sport.
It could also be refreshing for international fans and help NASCAR connect with a wider global audience. Waters already has a loyal fanbase in his native Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.
His presence in the series could also spark greater interest in online betting circles, with NASCAR wagering traditionally dominated by North American punters.
Waters’ arrival in NASCAR will likely to ignite a passionate following among Aussie betting enthusiasts, who’ll be eager to back their countryman on the best betting sites in Australia.
Having a successful international driver such Waters on the roster could not only ramp up betting activity on the series, but may also prove to be a game-changer for NASCAR.
NASCAR could attract sponsorships and investments from beyond the North American market, significantly boosting its financial standing and propelling it towards a truly global stage.
The recent race in Texas is part of a thrilling series leading up to the championship showdown in Phoenix, Arizona, in November.
Byron is currently the bookmakers’ favorite to win the championship at odds of 6.00, but several other drivers have a genuine chance of emerging victorious.
