NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron returned home for Christmas from his off-season trip to Japan. Byron appreciated the country's culture and people in a post about his trip.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver made it to the Championship 4 this season for the second year in a row and finished third overall. Byron had three wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 21 top-tens. He also won the Daytona 500, the team's first in the No. 24 car since 2005.
In a series of photos uploaded on Instagram, Byron can be seen in Kyoto and its popular spots like the Kaminarimon Gate.
"Japan 🇯🇵. So thankful for this experience, culture, and the people. Back home for the holidays. Merry Christmas," Byron wrote.
He also posted pictures of temples including the Golden Pavilion and scenic views.
Byron also won at Circuit of the Americas and Martinsville, where teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott finished second and third. He reached the Championship 4 despite no playoff wins and some controversies.
During the Martinsville race in November, Byron was helped by Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon. The Chevrolet drivers blocked other cars behind him and later received penalties, including a $100,000 fine and 50 driver points. He talked about the No. 24 team backing him before the Championship 4.
"Like, I haven't ever felt as bonded to my team as I am now. We had a meeting on Sunday night about it. I feel like we've turned the page really, really quickly. For me personally, I've blocked out a ton of the noise. I haven't looked at social media. I don't really care. I think past experiences have probably helped fuel that where I've been through enough BS in my Cup career," Byron said (via newsweek.com).
Byron started in eighth and finished in the fourth spot at Phoenix.
Liberty University to continue as primary sponsor for William Byron's No. 24 team in 2025
William Byron’s longtime sponsor, Liberty University, will support the No. 24 team for the 2025 season but for fewer races. The university in Virginia will sponsor only six races in 2025.
Liberty has backed Byron since 2014 and sponsored 12 races for his No. 24 car last year. The car’s paint design will stay the same as in 2024. The 27-year-old is also enrolled at the university as he's pursuing a B.S. in Strategic Communication through an online program.
Liberty has sponsored Byron in around 11 to 15 races per season each year since 2018. Next year, he will race with Liberty's logo at Atlanta, Martinsville, the Brickyard 400, Richmond, and Daytona. Byron's other sponsors include HP, Axalta, and Valvoline.