Denny Hamlin Claims Victory at Michigan as William Byron’s Fuel Mismanagement Derails Strong Performance
Brooklyn, MI—Denny Hamlin secured a hard-fought victory at Michigan International Speedway, marking his first win of the season and the 701st of his Cup Series career. The race unfolded dramatically as William Byron and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team showcased impressive speed but fell short due to fuel management issues.
Byron led a commanding 98 of the 200 laps and clinched a stage win while setting the fastest lap in Xfinity history with a time of 37.30 seconds. Despite this dominant performance, he struggled in the final laps; fuel miscalculation ultimately relegated him to a 28th-place finish after he ran out of gas just before the checkered flag.
"As we came to the white flag, we just ran out with a lap and a half left," Byron explained post-race. "It was a matter of managing the lead and fuel consumption, and we didn’t execute as well as we needed to."
The race took a pivotal turn during a late run when Carson Hocevar, who led from laps 151 to 181 in pursuit of his first Cup victory, suffered a flat tire. This misfortune allowed Byron to assume the lead mid-race, but his strong pace would soon be challenged by Hamlin.
With four laps remaining, Hamlin executed a successful maneuver to pass Byron, ultimately pulling away to claim victory. Byron was left to defend against a charging Chris Buescher for the second position but had to pit for fuel before crossing the finish line, costing him vital points.
Despite the disappointing result, Byron managed to accrue 29 points, maintaining his lead in the regular-season championship standings. "It stings, but we had a really good car and executed well for the most part. It’s just unfortunate,” he reflected.
As the series moves forward, Byron’s performance at Michigan serves as both a reminder of the fine margins in motorsports and the critical need for flawless execution in fuel management.
