William Byron redeemed himself after a fuel shortage in Michigan by leading the final 144 laps to claim victory in the NASCAR Cup race at Iowa. Utilizing a daring fuel strategy amidst an intense and chaotic final stage, Byron secured his second win of the 2025 season for Hendrick Motorsports. He praised his team’s efforts, crediting the engineers and crew for their role in managing the fuel efficiently throughout the race.
During the event, pit strategies varied widely among teams, but Byron’s aggressive fuel plan ultimately paid off. Chase Briscoe finished second, while Brad Keselowski, who dominated the first two stages, ended up third. The top 10 also included Ryan Blaney, Ryan Preece, Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, Carson Hocevar, Joey Logano, and Austin Dillon.
In the opening stages, Keselowski maintained a strong pace, winning stage 1 after skillfully navigating through slower traffic. Chase Briscoe took stage 2 with a well-timed pit stop from the pole position, benefiting from a caution caused by Shane Van Gisbergen’s spin. The stage ended with Keselowski heading the field after a last-minute caution triggered by Ty Dillon.
The final stage was marked by frequent cautions and intense battles, notably between Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports teammates who showcased fierce competition. Several spins and crashes added to the drama, including a significant collision involving Briscoe, Tyler Reddick, and Christopher Bell. Despite Briscoe’s strong effort to catch Byron, the latter’s fuel conservation allowed him to hold on and take the checkered flag.
Fan Take: This thrilling race highlighted the critical role of fuel strategy and split-second decision-making in NASCAR, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. William Byron’s win underscores the rising talent and tactical depth in the sport, promising more electrifying and unpredictable races ahead.
