NASCAR Insiders Debate William Byron's 2026 Championship Potential

Consistency is key in NASCAR's return to a season-long Chase format.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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NASCAR experts Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi discussed whether William Byron is poised to thrive under the new Chase format that rewards steady results over late playoff surges. While Bianchi believes Byron has established himself as an elite weekly contender, Gluck raised concerns about Byron's occasional dry spells and struggles early in the playoffs last season.

Why it matters

The return to a season-long Chase format means consistency will be the most valuable currency in NASCAR. This puts the spotlight on drivers like William Byron, who have shown the ability to run up front regularly but have also experienced some volatility in their results.

The details

Bianchi pointed to Byron's strong 2023 season, including winning the regular-season points title, as evidence that he is no longer a driver who runs hot and cold. However, Gluck referenced an eight-race stretch last season where Byron had no top-five finishes, raising concerns about his ability to avoid prolonged slumps in the new format. Gluck also noted Byron's early struggles in last year's playoffs, which he was able to rebound from, but may not be as forgiving in a season-long battle.

  • Byron finished 12th in the 2026 Daytona 500, offering little clarity on his championship potential.
  • The 2026 NASCAR season will feature a return to the season-long Chase format.

The players

William Byron

A NASCAR driver who has shown the ability to run up front regularly but has also experienced some volatility in his results.

Jeff Gluck

A NASCAR expert and co-host of The Teardown podcast.

Jordan Bianchi

A NASCAR expert and co-host of The Teardown podcast.

Kyle Larson

A NASCAR driver who Gluck believes may be a safer championship pick than Byron.

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What they’re saying

“This is a team that consistently shows they run up front and string together good to great finishes.”

— Jordan Bianchi, Co-host, The Teardown podcast (The Teardown)

“That can be a problem in this format. Their results are still a little up and down.”

— Jeff Gluck, Co-host, The Teardown podcast (The Teardown)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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