NASCAR Just Gave William Byron a Massive Reality Check

Sep 6, 2026; Darlington, South Carolina, USA;Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron (24) races through turn one during the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesWilliam Byron probably didn’t expect the NASCAR playoffs to start like this.And honestly, neither did anyone else.The Hendrick Motorsports driver entered the Chase as one of the championship favorites. Then Darlington happened.Byron finished 37th.That’s not a typo.His night went sidewa