12 awesome photos of William Byron celebrating his 2024 Daytona 500 victory

The race started a day late and basically ended a lap early, but it all worked out pretty well for William Byron, who won Monday’s rain-delayed Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway’s iconic 2.5-mile track.

Coming to the white flag signaling the last lap of the race, Byron was racing hard to hold onto his lead the rest of the field, including Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman. But contact between Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric brought out a caution flag.

Because NASCAR officials determined Byron, the race leader, crossed the start-finish line to begin his final lap before the caution came out, the race was over, Byron was declared the winner and the No. 24 Chevrolet was back in Victory Lane at the Daytona 500. Bowman finished second, Christopher Bell third, Corey LaJoie fourth and Bubba Wallace fifth.

A race he'll never forget! @WilliamByron is a #DAYTONA500 Champion! pic.twitter.com/TRAPvHjZni

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2024

The season-opening win is the 11th career checkered flag of Byron’s career, as he begins his seventh full-time Cup Series season. And it comes on the heels of a standout career-best six-win 2023 season.

Here are 12 of the best photos from the end of the race and Byron and his team celebrating their 2024 Daytona 500 win.

More NASCAR

NASCAR official explains the late Daytona 500 caution and how William Byron was declared the winner

Twitter reacts to William Byron winning the Daytona 500 in a wild finish

NASCAR history: Every Daytona 500 champion since 2000 (2024 edition)

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, leads Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, to the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Feb 19, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) reacts after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 19, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) reacts after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 19, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) celebrates with his crew after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, is congratulated by Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Carvana Toyota, in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, and crew spray champagne in victory lane after winning the the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Feb 19, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) poses with the Daytona 500 trophy at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports