If you haven't tuned into a race in a few years, walking into a NASCAR garage might feel like stepping into an alternate dimension. The faces have changed. The cars look beefier. But that iconic neon-yellow and blue number? It's still there.
William Byron is currently driving the 24 car in NASCAR.
Honestly, it’s a lot to live up to. When people ask about the 24, they aren't just asking about a piece of sheet metal. They’re asking about a legacy built by Jeff Gordon, the man who basically dragged NASCAR into the mainstream during the 90s. For a long time, fans wondered if anyone could actually fill those shoes without tripping.
Byron isn't just "filling" them anymore. He’s running in them. Fast.
The Kid Who Learned to Drive on a Computer
It sounds like a PR stunt, but it’s 100% real. William Byron didn’t grow up on dirt tracks in the South like most legends. He started on iRacing.
He was a teenager with a steering wheel hooked up to a desk, competing against thousands of strangers online. Most traditionalists laughed at the idea back then. They aren't laughing now.
Byron’s rise was a total blur. He went from a computer screen to a real stock car at age 15. That’s late by modern standards. Usually, if you aren't in a kart by age five, you're behind. Yet, he blazed through the ranks:
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- K&N Pro Series East Champion (2015)
- Truck Series record-breaker with 7 wins (2016)
- Xfinity Series Champion (2017)
By the time 2018 rolled around, Rick Hendrick saw enough. He put the kid in the 24.
Why 2026 is the Year of the 24
We are currently sitting in the early weeks of 2026, and the conversation around Byron has shifted from "can he win?" to "when will he win the big trophy?"
Last season—2025—was a wild ride for the No. 24 team. Byron was arguably the most dominant force on the track, leading a series-high 1,330 laps. Think about that. He led 224 more laps than his teammate Kyle Larson, who is widely considered the best raw talent in the world.
He kicked off 2025 by winning his second consecutive Daytona 500. Do you know how hard that is? Only five drivers have ever done it. He then cruised to the Regular Season Championship, looking like an absolute lock for the title.
Then, Phoenix happened.
Coming to three laps left in the season finale, a tire let go. He hit the wall. A championship that seemed destined for the 24 shop in Charlotte vanished in a cloud of Goodyear smoke. He finished 4th in the final standings, marking his third straight year in the Championship 4.
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He’s the "almost" guy right now. But in racing, "almost" usually means a storm is coming.
The Chemistry with Rudy Fugle
You can't talk about who’s driving the 24 car in NASCAR without mentioning the guy on the pit box: Rudy Fugle.
Every great driver needs a whisperer. Gordon had Ray Evernham. Jimmie Johnson had Chad Knaus. Byron has Fugle.
They first worked together back in the Truck Series days. When Hendrick brought Fugle up to the Cup level in 2021, the 24 car transformed overnight. Since that pairing, Byron has racked up 13 wins. That is the second-highest total in the entire garage over that span.
They speak a different language. Byron is technical—maybe a byproduct of those iRacing roots—and Fugle knows exactly how to tweak the chassis to match the "feel" Byron describes. It’s a surgical approach to racing.
Breaking the Gordon Shadow
For years, the No. 24 was synonymous with the "Rainbow Warrior." When Chase Elliott briefly took over the number after Gordon retired, it felt like a placeholder.
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But Byron has stayed.
He recently signed an extension that locks him into the seat through 2029. He’s no longer the "young kid" or the "simulator guy." At 28 years old, he is the veteran anchor of a team that includes superstars like Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson.
He’s also bringing in new money. While Axalta and Liberty University have been the mainstays, we’re seeing brands like Phorm Energy and Cincinnati Inc. take over the hood for 2026. The 24 is a prime real estate again.
What to Watch for This Season
If you’re following the 24 car this year, keep an eye on these specific milestones:
- The Daytona Three-Peat: No one has ever won three Daytona 500s in a row. Byron is the only person with a shot at it this February.
- Short Track Dominance: Byron has turned Martinsville into his personal playground. If the 24 is leading at a half-mile track, it’s probably staying there.
- The Playoff Grudge: After the heartbreak at Phoenix last November, the No. 24 team is entering 2026 with a massive chip on its shoulder.
NASCAR is a sport of narratives. The current narrative for the 24 is simple: perfection. Byron doesn't make many mistakes. He doesn't get into many "he-said-she-said" brawls on pit road. He just executes.
Your Next Steps for Following the 24:
Check the official NASCAR entry lists before the Next Gen cars hit the track for the Clash or Daytona. While William Byron is the locked-in driver, the paint schemes change weekly. You'll want to look for the Raptor or Valvoline colors, which are slated for several key races this spring. If you're a stats nerd, keep a close eye on "Laps Led"—that's been the best indicator of whether the 24 is actually the fastest car on the grid or just benefiting from pit strategy.
The 24 is no longer just Jeff Gordon’s old ride. It’s William Byron’s house now.