{"id":38359,"date":"2022-04-09T23:30:06","date_gmt":"2022-04-10T04:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=38359"},"modified":"2022-04-10T11:54:18","modified_gmt":"2022-04-10T16:54:18","slug":"william-byron-is-nascar-cups-first-double-winner-with-victory-at-martinsville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2022\/04\/09\/william-byron-is-nascar-cups-first-double-winner-with-victory-at-martinsville\/","title":{"rendered":"William Byron is NASCAR Cup\u2019s first double winner with victory at Martinsville\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, and crew chief Rudy Fugle celebrate in the Ruoff Mortgage victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 09, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Reid Spencer <\/em><\/p>\n

NASCAR Wire Service <\/em><\/p>\n

MARTINSVILLE, Va. \u2013 The first night race for the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway was a cakewalk for Hendrick Motorsports\u2014until a late caution sent the race to overtime, that is.<\/p>\n

\"\"

William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 09, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

But William Byron survived a final restart and a mistake on the white-flag lap to win Saturday night\u2019s Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 at the .526-mile short track. <\/p>\n

Byron led 212 of the 403 laps. Teammate and pole winner Chase Elliott led the first 185 circuits, as Hendrick Motorsports surpassed 10,000 laps led at Martinsville, becoming the first Cup organization to hit that prodigious number at a single track. <\/p>\n

At the end of the two-lap overtime, Byron crossed the finish line .303 seconds ahead of runner-up Joey Logano, who couldn\u2019t get close enough to Byron\u2019s No. 24 Chevrolet in the final corner to make a move for the win.  <\/p>\n

\"\"

William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, reacts after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 09, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Byron, who also won Thursday night\u2019s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, is the first driver to win two events this season. Saturday night\u2019s Cup victory was his first at Martinsville and the fourth of his career. <\/p>\n

With his parents on his pit box for the entire race, Byron dedicated the win to his mother. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen that last caution came out (for Todd Gilliland\u2019s brush with the Turn 4 wall on Lap 393), I thought everyone behind us would pit,\u201d Byron said. \u201cLuckily, we stayed out\u2014we were aggressive. We felt like we could refire on the tires and be OK.  <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got one of the most aggressive guys behind you with Logano. I chattered the tires in (Turns) 3 and 4 (on the white-flag lap) and left the bottom open, but I was able to kind of block my exit to get a good drive off (the corner). <\/p>\n

\"\"

William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 09, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThis one\u2019s for my mom. This same weekend last year, she had kind of a mini-stroke and was diagnosed with brain cancer. It means a lot to have her here, and it’s been a crazy year, but she’s doing great, and thanks, everybody, for the support. I kind of felt like she was riding in there with me. It’s cool to have her here, and I’m definitely going to enjoy this one.\u201d <\/p>\n

Logano had mixed emotions after the race. The strong second-place run was gratifying, but it was second place, not first, and it extended his winless streak to 37 races. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat final restart there, had a front row,\u201d Logano said. \u201cThat’s what you can ask for. Got cleared to second, and Willy kind of messed up off of (Turn) 4 and let me get to him, and he did a really good job of brake-checking… He did what he was supposed to do, and kind of got me all stuffed up behind him, and I couldn’t accelerate off the corner and be as close as I needed to be down into 3 to execute the ol’ bump-and-run.<\/p>\n

\"\"

William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, is congratulated by his mother, Dana Byron and father, Bill Byron after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 09, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cCouldn’t get quite to him, but his corner entry was really strong, too, which I think allowed him to get in there pretty strong. Overall, the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang had a solid run. Just hate being that close to winning and not making it happen. But big points today, and it just stings. Second just sucks sometimes, that’s all.\u201d <\/p>\n

Austin Dillon ran a strong third behind Logano, with Ryan Blaney and Ross Chastain claiming the fourth and fifth positions, respectively. <\/p>\n

Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Aric Almirola, Chase Briscoe and Elliott completed the top 10. Elliott leads the series standings by three points over second-place Blaney. Byron is third, 12 points back. <\/p>\n

Leading the first 185 laps, Elliott won the first two stages in the process. But Byron won the race off pit road under caution at the second stage break and remained out front for 118 laps until he came to pit road during a cycle of green-flag stops midway through the final stage.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 LLumar Chevrolet, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 09, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Blaney held the top spot for five laps before making his final stop, and Byron regained the lead when Blaney came to pit road on Lap 308. <\/p>\n

After completion of the green-flag cycle, NASCAR called the third caution of the race when Denny Hamlin\u2019s ill-handling car stopped on pit road. Byron retained control of the race after the subsequent Lap 325 restart, with Austin Dillon moving past Joey Logano into the second position. <\/p>\n

That was the last yellow flag until the final caution on Lap 393. The four cautions total\u2014with two for stage breaks\u2014were the fewest in a Cup race at Martinsville since 1997. Then again, Saturday night\u2019s race was shortened from 500 to 400 laps. <\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Racing Winning Driver William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) – <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Race Winning Crew Chief Rudy Fugle and Team Owner Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/NCSMVille1FugleGordon041022.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Honorary Race Official Christian Darrisaw – Minnesota Vikings player, former Virginia Tech player – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/NCSMVille1Darrisaw040922.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Cup Series Race – 73rd Annual Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400<\/b><\/p>\n

Martinsville Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Martinsville, Virginia<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, April 9, 2022<\/b><\/p>\n

              1. (5)  William Byron, Chevrolet, 403.<\/p>\n

               2. (14)  Joey Logano, Ford, 403.<\/p>\n

               3. (23)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 403.<\/p>\n

               4. (12)  Ryan Blaney, Ford, 403.<\/p>\n

               5. (27)  Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 403.<\/p>\n

               6. (18)  Kurt Busch, Toyota, 403.<\/p>\n

               7. (11)  Kyle Busch, Toyota, 403.<\/p>\n

               8. (2)  Aric Almirola, Ford, 403.<\/p>\n

               9. (19)  Chase Briscoe, Ford, 403.<\/p>\n

               10. (1)  Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 403.<\/p>\n

               11. (13)  Austin Cindric #, Ford, 403.<\/p>\n

               12. (15)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 403.<\/p>\n

               13. (24)  Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 403.<\/p>\n

               14. (6)  Kevin Harvick, Ford, 403.<\/p>\n

               15. (4)  Chris Buescher, Ford, 403.<\/p>\n

               16. (21)  Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 403.<\/p>\n

               17. (9)  Brad Keselowski, Ford, 403.<\/p>\n

               18. (22)  Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, 403.<\/p>\n

               19. (8)  Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 403.<\/p>\n

               20. (7)  Christopher Bell, Toyota, 402.<\/p>\n

               21. (3)  Cole Custer, Ford, 402.<\/p>\n

               22. (20)  Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 401.<\/p>\n

               23. (34)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 401.<\/p>\n

               24. (36)  AJ Allmendinger(i), Chevrolet, 401.<\/p>\n

               25. (16)  Michael McDowell, Ford, 400.<\/p>\n

               26. (29)  Harrison Burton #, Ford, 400.<\/p>\n

               27. (28)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 400.<\/p>\n

               28. (25)  Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 400.<\/p>\n

               29. (30)  Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 399.<\/p>\n

               30. (10)  Todd Gilliland #, Ford, 399.<\/p>\n

               31. (17)  Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 398.<\/p>\n

               32. (26)  Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 397.<\/p>\n

               33. (35)  Cody Ware, Ford, 394.<\/p>\n

               34. (32)  JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 392.<\/p>\n

               35. (31)  Josh Bilicki(i), Chevrolet, 391.<\/p>\n

               36. (33)  BJ McLeod, Ford, Handling, 132.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:<\/b>  79.244 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:<\/b>  2 Hrs, 40 Mins, 30 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.303 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:<\/b>  4 for 36 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:<\/b>  5 among 4 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:<\/b>   C. Elliott 1-185;W. Byron 186-303;R. Blaney 304-308;W. Byron 309-319;A. Dillon 320;W. Byron 321-403.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):<\/b>  William Byron 3 times for 212 laps; Chase Elliott 1 time for 185 laps; Ryan Blaney 1 time for 5 laps; Austin Dillon 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten:<\/b> 9,24,41,20,10,4,12,22,2,45<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten:<\/b> 9,24,22,12,41,3,10,2,20,4<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer  NASCAR Wire Service  MARTINSVILLE, Va. \u2013 The first night race for the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway was a cakewalk for Hendrick Motorsports\u2014until a late caution sent the race to overtime, that is.   But William Byron survived a final restart and a mistake on the white-flag lap to win […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":38371,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[407,16,212],"class_list":["post-38359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-martinsville-speedway","tag-nascar","tag-william-byron"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1390574510-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-9YH","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38359"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38359\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38377,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38359\/revisions\/38377"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}