Kyle Petty Brands William Byron the “Total Speedway Package” Ahead of 2026 Daytona 500

Kyle Petty has high praise and high hopes for Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron as he is set to make history at the Daytona 500.

Kyle Petty Brands William Byron the “Total Speedway Package” Ahead of 2026 Daytona 500

William Byron, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Petty (Via IMAGO)

In Short
  • William Byron aims to become the first driver to win three consecutive Daytona 500 races.
  • Kyle Petty praises Byron's intelligence and skill in Superspeedway racing, calling him the "total package."
  • Byron expresses confidence in his team's preparation and his own experience for the upcoming race.

The NASCAR Community is excited about a return to the track, with the 2026 season opener Daytona 500 after a dramatic and emotionally draining off-season. One of the biggest topics of discussion is who is going to win the crown jewel race at Daytona, with Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron being in cusp of making history.

The No:24 Chevy team was on the victory lane the last two season and William Byron can become the first racer in the history of the sport to secure three straight wins at the event, something event Richard Petty couldn’t do. Ex-racer Kyle Petty, talking about the racer in the Inside the Race shows has explained factors that makes the youngster strong at Superspeedways.

When you come into these drafting tracks… especially at the cup level… It’s a totally different game. So, to run door-to-door, nose-to-tail with a Kyle Busch or a Denny Hamlin, guys who understand this and know how to get it done, a Joey Logano who can take control of the race. You learn something every time you come in. And most people come in in first grade. William Byron came in already in seventh or eighth grade.

Kyle Petty said via Inside the Race (NASCAR on YouTube).

Over the years, Byron has perfected the art drafting against the very best of the sport and knows how to take control of the race owing to his years of dedication, even before making his debut, to study racing. His intelligence and development as a racer make him a total package for Superspeedway racing according to Petty.

He had studied the tapes… He understood it when he came to the game. And his education and his intelligence… has just gotten better and better. When I look at it, he shows up every race that we run at the speedway. Talladega, Daytona, Atlanta, doesn’t make any (difference). He’s smarter again… He’s never leveled off. He continues.…William is that total package when it comes to speedway racing.

Kyle Petty added.

William Byron is determined to win his third straight Daytona 500

Recently talking about the possibility of making history, Byron admitted that he is confidence about his chances, despite luck being a prominent factor in deciding the victor at Daytona 500. He seems well prepared for the challenging race ahead of him, with HMS strong qualifying performance in the Next-Gen at Daytona giving him a confidence boost.

William Byron
William Byron (Via IMAGO)

I know we’ve been fortunate to win two in a row, and I feel confident we’ll be as prepared as we can be for this weekend. There’s some luck that goes into even being there at the end of the race, I know that.

William Byron said.

Furthermore, the young racer pointed out that his team and himself will be doing everything they possibly can to take control of the race and asserted that he trusts Rudy Fugle to give him a strong car. His past experience will play a significant role as well.

But I also know that myself and this team are going to do everything we can control to put ourselves in position for a third. I know we have the team and the car for it; that’s not a question. I also feel like I have the experience, too, to go with that. All we can do is control what we can control.

William Byron added.

Past experience makes Byron one of the front runners to win the race, but with the new format change and end of the playoffs will change the whole racing dynamic different as drivers will be more calculated than desperate. It would be interesting if he can make new racing history on Sunday.

Also Read: Kevin Harvick Bets on William Byron to 2026 NASCAR Cup Championship