CHARLOTTE, N.C. — While many have labeled William Byron as the favorite to win the NASCAR Cup Series title ahead of the 10-race playoffs, the Hendrick Motorsports driver knows he must take things one race and one round at a time.
Byron led the series with five victories this season and was successful on all types of tracks.
“I feel like we have to work our way through the rounds and do the best job we can at all the opening tracks,” Byron said. “It’s nice to have good bonus points and it’s nice to have that in our back pocket. But I’ve seen how the playoffs have played out over the last few years, and you can’t get ahead of yourself. We have to do a good job in each round and take it one race at a time.”
Byron wasn’t sure he’d be in this position at the beginning of the season.
“Starting the season, we didn’t expect to win five races to be honest,” the 25-year-old driver said. “Winning three races was kind of the goal. As we transitioned throughout the year, the expectations got higher. There was a little slump that came with that because we started to expect to run top three or top five every week. It’s just not possible with this car especially.
“You’ve got way too many challenges. I feel like we got into a good place before the playoffs start to where we feel like we’re comfortable and have a good mindset,” Byron added.
Byron believes his Rudy Fugle-led team is on the right track and just needs to stay the course heading into the playoffs this weekend at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
“I don’t think we change a thing,” Byron explained. “The intensity of the moment already elevates your performance a little bit. I know we’re good enough, I know we’re capable. I know my best is good enough. I feel like for me, it’s more the same… It’s trying to approach each track individually and not look too far ahead. That’s really the thing I’ve learned, not to get ahead of ourselves.
“We can’t be thinking about the Round of 12, we can’t be thinking about the Round of Eight,” Byron continued. “We’ve got to be focused on Darlington right now. Then when Monday comes we’ll focus on Kansas, and maybe we’ll do a little bit of prep work for Bristol to make sure we’re ready. It’s just one step at a time. We can’t think too far ahead.”
Byron won the May race at Darlington’s 1.366-mile egg-shaped track.
“A lot has changed since then, so I feel like we have to keep up with the times and keep up with what’s new and what’s going on,” he said. “I do think we can be really good at Darlington. It’s just a matter of how good. We want to be solid and have a good top-10 qualifying and a good top-10 race.
“For us, it’s pretty simple. It’s always been a good track for me, all the way back to Xfinity days. I love the challenge of it,” Byron noted. “The challenge of that track brings out a good side of my driving style. I enjoy places that are really tough and challenging, and that’s definitely one of them. It’s high-speed, it’s close to the wall, it’s everything I enjoy as a driver.”
Despite the success of Hendrick Motorsports, which has won 14 Cup Series titles, Byron said he doesn’t feel pressure to win the title this season.
“I don’t think so. I’m 25. I feel like I have years left to keep driving,” the North Carolina native said. “I feel like this is an opportunity that’s a great one, but it’s one that I’m going to relish and enjoy. I’m going to enjoy that we’re in this position. It’s fun and exciting.
“I’m looking forward to having more of those down the road. Maybe not next year. Like you said, it’s cyclical and maybe next year we’re not as strong. But I know we’ve built a foundation that can sustain itself. I’ve been racing for 11 years, and half of those have been in the Cup Series. It’s been a steep learning curve, but I feel really comfortable now.”