NASCAR takeaways: William Byron controls at COTA for 2nd win of 2024

AUSTIN, Texas — William Byron had one of those ideal racing weekends.

Fastest in practice.

Fastest in the last round of certifying.

Fastest in the race.

Fastest to the surface line.

Byron, who led the Cup Series with 6 success in 2023, recorded his 2nd success of the 2024 season in leading 42 of the 68 laps at Circuit of the Americas.

The Hendrick Motorsports motorist would have led more laps if he didn’t pit previous to the end of the phases for track position functions.

It significant the veryfirst time in Byron’s profession that he won the race from the pole. He was 0-for-12 coming into COTA.

“Thirteen poles and [until now] neverever won a race,” Byron stated. “The expectations get too high, I believe.

“This weekend felt like, regardless of where we were beginning, we felt like we were going to go out and perform a great race. That is how I attempted to stay throughout the weekend. I feel like other times when I certify on the pole, I get a little thrilled and start to anticipate to win. “

Takeaways from COTA on a day when Byron and Christopher Bell were followed throughout the surface line by Ty Gibbs, Alex Bowman and last year’s winner Tyler Reddick.

Byron A Road-Course Ace?

Byron won for the 2nd time on a roadway course, with his initially coming last summertime at Watkins Glen.

He had a mirror complete of Bell at the end.

“I was simply attempting to not make errors,” Byron stated. “I felt like I made a lot of micro-errors in the last 10 laps.

“I have to calm down a little bit, appearance back at those 10 laps and believe about what might I do muchbetter in the carsandtruck to stay psychologically locked in and not get flustered by the mirror.”

His colleague Bowman had a strong day in what is his finest roadway course. Bowman stated some of the more veteran motorists have benefits at the roadway courses the Cup Series has wentto for anumberof years however with COTA simply in its 4th year on the schedule, he hasactually been able to findout on par with everybody else.

“Not racing versus guys with a substantial notepad is constantly excellent,” Bowman stated. “You appearance at Sonoma and Watkins Glen, a lot of guys haveactually been going there for a actually long time.

“It’s constantly fit me a little bit. I wouldn’t state that veryfirst year we were fantastic, however consideringthat then, we’ve been actually, truly good.”

Eventful Day For Bell

Bell endedup 2nd and was acquiring on Byron at the end, however his daring day ended up one area brief.

Bell had events with 2 of the greatest stars in the sport, spinning both Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch in different occurrences.

Busch came up to Bell later and had some words for him.

Bell took the blame for the Larson mishap however wasn’t so sure what occurred with Busch.

“Larson, I made a error and I got into the back of him and spun him out,” Bell stated. “But KB, he opened his entry up and attempted the crossover where I was running my line.

“Had I understood he was going to come throughout the racetrack, I would have braked a little bit. But I neverever anticipated him to do that.”

Corey LaJoie OK After Severe Cramps

Corey LaJoie was on the ground for numerous minutes after the race and required 2 bags of fluids after being hauled to the infield medical center after the race.

“Every muscle in my body confined up … every muscle from the leading of my abs to the bottom of my feet simply took right up,” LaJoie stated.

“I attempted to walk it off, however my feet wouldn’t work, my legs wouldn’t work so I simply had to lay down.”

Haley Disqualified

NASCAR disqualified the Justin Haley vehicle after his 17th-place surface. His carsandtruck stoppedworking to fulfill minimum postrace weight requirements.

The group can appeal the charge. 

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has invested years covering motorsports, consistingof over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene publication and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.