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William Byron comes up short in Florida Governor's Cup at New Smyrna Speedway

JHby: Jonathan Howard11/12/23Jondean25
William Byron Phoenix championship
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NASCAR Cup Series season might be over, but there is still stock car racing for William Byron and others to get into. Byron was down at New Smyrna Speedway fighting for the win in the Florida Governor’s Cup. He ultimately came up short.

This race was full of some great talent. William Byron and Jesse Love were the two NASCAR national series representatives. Byron is fresh off a Championship 4 appearance in the Cup Series. Love off of his dominant season in ARCA just before he goes to Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series.

That’s not to mention the usual super late model drivers that do this week in and week out. Gio Ruggiero and Stephen Nasse were in this race. You might remember the pair from an incident they had in ASA together just a while back.

As the Florida Governor’s Cup came down to the end, it was a battle. William Byron was taking it to Nasse. However, the No. 51 wasn’t giving up on this race. He didn’t care he was battling a Cup Series driver, he wanted the win.

Nasse held Byron off and took the lead. Byron would then go on to have an oil pressure issue that led to him pitting late in this race.

Nasse went on to take the win, a big one for the driver that has been wanting to get this victory for years.

William Byron staying busy in the offseason

Like many drivers and racers, the season never really ends for William Byron. He just goes into another season outside of NASCAR. Keeping that edge and competitive mindset is important for these athletes. You let it slip for a little too long and you will fall off the pace, no pun intended.

Byron is smart to keep racing late into the year. Less than 100 days until the Daytona 500, after all. This year, the No. 24 driver was excellent. He led the Cup Series in wins, with six checkered flags. While he didn’t win the championship, it was a breakout year for Byron.

I know the season just ended, but I’m very excited for 2024. When you have so much talent in the Cup Series, new drivers like Josh Berry, Carson Hocevar, Zane Smith, Shane van Gisbergen (part-time), as well as the returning field – it feels like a big season.

William Byron has a lot of opportunities ahead of him in 2024. Yes, he’s on a crowded team with Hendrick also having Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott who can win three or more races every season and compete for the championship every season as well. Alex Bowman is a driver who should make the playoffs every season as well.

Byron is in a good place. He just needs to make the most of his season in 2024 and he should be back in Phoenix with another chance at a title.