NASCAR
William Byron Wins Atlanta Again After Rain Cancels Final 75 Laps
HAMPTON, Ga. – After leading only 19 laps, William Byron had position when weather rolled into Atlanta. Driver 24 picks up his second win on the redesigned Atlanta Motor Speedway and his fourth checkered flag of 2023. Many potential Playoff-upsetting drivers led at points throughout the night, but in the end a proven title favorite took the victory.
Muck like in March, Ford dominance was on display early in both Stages. Ryan Blaney took the opening Stage in a photo-finish over teammate Joey Logano. Despite the Penske trio also lining up together late in Stage 2, Brad Keselowski got the upper hand.
Stage 2 would prematurely end under one of these cautions, after Alex Bowman and Denny Hamlin spun.
.@Alex_Bowman gets into @dennyhamlin and both drivers spin off of turn 4. #QS400 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/yADOC8FNDf
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) July 10, 2023
Thanks to weather rolling in, the intensity noticeably ratcheted up in the closing laps of Stage 2. Four separate crashes took place in Stage 2, jumbling up the front running cars. One of these drivers taken out in a spin was the 24 of William Byron, who cycled back up front in Stage 3.
Contact on the frontstretch leads to this @WilliamByron spin. pic.twitter.com/jbPcsas3aL
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 10, 2023
Following Stage 2, a total of 11 drivers stayed out to become the new leaders. Lap 167 saw William Byron take command over AJ Allmendinger, thanks to a monster push from Daniel Suarez.
Only a few laps later, a caution flew again for Bubba Wallace and Ryan Preece spinning. Under this caution, rain moved in and the race would be called official after 185 laps.
“Honestly I don’t completely understand this one,” Byron said. “It’s a really good feeling. I’ve never had a rain victory like this. But just thanks to AXALTA Chevrolet. It’s cool.”
“We went through so much throughout the night, spinning through the infield, destroyed the bottom of the car dragging it around the apron trying to stay on the lead lap. At that point you just don’t have the grip, so I was real edgy back in traffic.”
“Rudy made a good call to pit there and then stay out, and once we got towards the front it was okay. We could honestly make the right decisions, block okay, and got the lead from AJ and just was able to manage the run. Just a crazy night.”
William Byron is now the winningest driver through 19 races in 2023, with four victories. Byron certainly appears in championship form as the Playoffs loom closer, with seven races left until the postseason.
The race to the NASCAR Playoffs continues next week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Crayon 301 goes green Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Race 20 of the 2023 campaign is another unique track that could lead to a new winner.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Peter Stratta/TSJSports
