William Byron Aims for Historic Daytona 500 Three-Peat Win

NASCAR driver William Byron looks to become the first to win the Daytona 500 three years in a row.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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William Byron, the driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, is preparing to compete in the Daytona 500 on Sunday with hopes of becoming the first driver to win three straight editions of NASCAR's signature event. Despite his recent success on superspeedways, Byron remains modest about his drafting skills, but his track record includes two consecutive Daytona 500 wins and multiple strong finishes at superspeedway races, making him a prominent contender at Daytona International Speedway.

Why it matters

Winning the Daytona 500 three times in a row would be an unprecedented accomplishment in NASCAR history, cementing Byron's legacy as one of the sport's elite superspeedway racers. The race also holds significance for other veteran drivers like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, who are chasing their own milestones at the sport's most prestigious event.

The details

Byron has steadily built his reputation as a superspeedway specialist, with five career wins on drafting tracks, including three at Daytona and two at Atlanta Motor Speedway. His performance at Talladega Superspeedway also stands out, having finished in the top five five times in 16 starts. Byron's crew chief, Rudy Fugle, recognizes the rarity and significance of achieving three consecutive Daytona 500 wins, acknowledging the immense collective effort required backstage while noting the unpredictable nature of the event.

  • The Daytona 500 is scheduled for this Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • William Byron won the Daytona 500 in 2024 and 2025.

The players

William Byron

A NASCAR driver who is preparing to compete in the Daytona 500 with hopes of becoming the first driver to win three straight editions of the event.

Rudy Fugle

William Byron's crew chief, who recognizes the rarity and significance of achieving three consecutive Daytona 500 wins.

Denny Hamlin

A veteran NASCAR driver representing Joe Gibbs Racing, who aims to capture his fourth Daytona 500 victory, which would tie him with Cale Yarborough for the second-most wins in the event's history.

Kyle Busch

A NASCAR driver who secured the pole position for the 2026 Daytona 500, but no driver has ever earned their first win at the Daytona 500 after more than 20 attempts, a barrier Busch is determined to break.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.