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“We’re embarrassed. We’ve got to execute a lot better all around. Nothing comfortable. We didn’t do s— today. We’ve got to improve and get better and race our a-s off every week or it’s going to be a long offseason,” lashed out William Byron’s crew chief after the first playoff race at Darlington, when his driver finished 21st. Back then, Byron and his No. 24 team looked shaken, uncertain, and miles away from the Championship 4 conversation. The noise was loud. Critics called their momentum “overhyped,” their playoff hopes “fading fast.” But instead of breaking apart, Hendrick Motorsports’ young duo did the opposite. They regrouped, recalibrated, and reignited their form just when it mattered most. Fast-forward to Martinsville, and the same man who once fumed in frustration delivered a message that couldn’t have sounded more different. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Rudy Fugle’s pride shines after William Byron’s masterclass Following William Byron’s nearly faultless performance at Martinsville, which sent Hendrick Motorsports into the Championship 4, Rudy Fugle’s voice was filled with emotion. Byron’s performance was a statement in preparation and execution. Starting from pole position, he led an incredible 304 of 500 laps before outpacing Ryan Blaney in the last 44 laps to win and earn a spot in Phoenix. Fugle remarked, “I am just so proud of this team. We put a ton of work into this race, and it paid off. Really, really proud of this group.,” highlighting how the No. 24 squad performed flawlessly from practice to the finals. All day long, Byron’s car was quick and needed little adjusting since the pit team made smooth stops to keep him ahead. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad It was a pivotal turnaround for a team facing critics through a tough opening six playoff races. Byron had five finishes outside of the top 10 from Darlington to Charlotte, including a dismal 36th at Las Vegas and 25th at Talladega. Moreover, he hadn’t led significant laps, a concern as the playoffs wore on. Despite these setbacks that cost crucial points, Byron and Fugle never lost faith. “We kept getting talked about how we weren’t leading laps. We didn’t have any top-10s even though we had five top-11s in six races, but that wasn’t good enough for anybody. So we buckled down and put it together,” Fugle reflected. Byron had similar sentiments to share after the race. “We just worked so hard, all these guys work so hard. You put everything into Sundays. Sometimes you don’t get anything in return. That’s been the last couple weeks. Honestly, throughout the year, had some close calls. But yeah, sometimes life is that way. You just got to keep being resilient. We were. Just feels damn good.” Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Now, Byron is poised for his third straight Championship 4 appearance. He is racing for a first title at Phoenix after back-to-back Daytona 500 wins and a regular-season championship. Fugle’s pride in his group is palpable, with confidence surging as they aim to cap this turnaround with the ultimate prize. “I’m just so freaking proud of everybody and just can’t wait to go race for championship,” Fugle said. It was a message of hope and hunger as Hendrick eyes another Cup Series crown after four years. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Byron gets a new primary sponsor through 2028 In addition to the Martinsville win, Hendrick Motorsports and William Byron have scored a major off-track win, too. Defense technology leader Anduril Industries has joined as the primary sponsor for two races each NASCAR Cup Series season from 2026 through 2028. The partnership kicks off at the inaugural Anduril 250, a marquee street course event in San Diego celebrating the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary. It will then be seen at Chicagoland Speedway for NASCAR’s long-awaited return to the track. Byron’s No. 24 will don a specially designed Anduril paint scheme, which will be revealed ahead of the 2026 campaign. Jeff Miller, vice president of marketing at Anduril, called it “a partnership about showcasing technology and performance at the highest level,” aligning Anduril’s advanced military innovation with a team boasting 14 Cup championships. Rick Hendrick expressed his happiness with the association, stating, “We’re proud to represent a company that pushes the boundaries of advanced technology to support our military and engages in programs to honor service members and their families. William and the No. 24 team will be tremendous ambassadors for Anduril and its message.” Moreover, Anduril is also set to become NASCAR’s Official Defense Partner, and the deal highlights shared values regarding support for military service members and their families. Byron reciprocated. “What stands out to me is Anduril’s commitment to innovation and discipline… and the fact that this program gives back to those who serve is something we’re proud to support.” The move comes as Byron, at just 27 years old, notches his seventh Cup playoff appearance and vies for his long-awaited first championship. Team and sponsor are betting on consistency, community, and high-tech excellence to keep the No. 24 program at the center of the NASCAR title conversation for several years to come.
