Byron’s Momentum Falters at Cook Out Southern 500

William Byron followed up an eventful week, including his first career win and the announcement of his contract extension at Hendrick Motorsports through 2022, with an uneventful Cook Out Southern 500 Sunday night – finishing fifth in the race with zero laps led.

Byron started the race from the third position by virtue of NASCAR’s temporary metric-based qualifying system. He had a quiet stage one as he fell to eighth, earning three stage points. However, in stage two, Byron faded outside of the top 10, securing zero points.

Byron and his crew chief Chad Knaus decided on an alternate two-stop strategy for the final stage. The fresh tires moved Byron up to seventh when a caution came out with 45 laps to go, forcing the field to pit and allowing Byron to retain his track position. 

Byron remained in seventh until race leaders Chase Elliot and Martin Truex Jr. tangled, moving Byron up to his fifth-place finishing position. 

The fifth-place finish puts Byron ninth in the points standings, nine points ahead of the cutoff line. The playoff field will be cut from 16 down to 12 after the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway Sept. 19. 

Byron will next compete in the Federated Auto Parts 400 from Richmond Raceway on Saturday, Sept.12,  at 7:30 p.m. EST on NBCSN.

Joshua Lipowski is a Sports reporter and the host of the “Further Than the Cheap Seats” podcast. Follow him on Instagram at @j_lipowski23.