Willaim Byron emerged as the champion of the Daytona 500, securing the largest prize money ever awarded in the history of Motorsports. The victory came after a thrilling race on Monday, where Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) overcame a late caution in the final laps to claim the prestigious Great American Race. Prior to this triumph in 2024, HMS had not tasted victory at the Daytona 500 since 2014, when another driver achieved success in the No:88 Chevy.
The Daytona 500 holds a special place in the NASCAR calendar, not only due to its esteemed reputation but also because of the substantial financial rewards it offers to drivers. The 2024 edition of the event set a new record for the largest prize pool ever in Motorsports, with a staggering $28 million up for grabs to be distributed among all participating teams.
Since 2015, NASCAR has chosen not to disclose the specific details of the prize money awarded to the winner. However, based on certain assumptions, it is possible to estimate the share of the pool that HMS received following Byron’s victory. In 2015, the winners of the Daytona 500, along with Team Penske Racing, received a payout of $1,586,503 from a total purse of $18,133,235.
By applying an assumption that NASCAR has maintained an 8% to 10% payout formula in recent years, it can be estimated that HMS would have received a check ranging from $2.4 to $2.8 million. In fact, this figure could potentially reach $3 million, as three-time Daytona 500 winner previously provided a similar estimate of earnings for the victorious driver in the race.
While the financial rewards of winning the Daytona 500 and securing second place will undoubtedly bring satisfaction to Rick Hendrick and his team, the significance of the achievement extends beyond monetary gains. Most notably, HMS put an end to their 10-year drought at this iconic race.
Furthermore, the victory served as a fitting launch for HMS’s 40th season. Monday marked exactly four decades since the team’s inception, and Byron’s triumph epitomizes the remarkable journey of HMS from being outsiders to becoming the most decorated team in the history of the sport.
For Jeff Gordon, a four-time Cup champion who now serves as HMS Vice-Chairman, Byron’s victory holds a special place in his heart. Gordon played a pivotal role in transforming the No:24 into one of NASCAR’s most iconic charters, and seeing it triumph at the Daytona 500 for the first time since 2005 evokes a profound emotional experience.
According to the Source firstsportz.com