Hendrick Motorsports celebrates 40th anniversary with ninth Daytona 500 win

William Byron was greeted immediately after a post race interview on Monday after winning the 2024 Daytona 500 by car owner Rick Hendrick, the man who gave him the opportunity to win the Great American Race.

Byron, 26, had just finished explaining how he had gotten into position to win the 66th annual race in his No. 24 Chevy Camaro when Hendrick approached him and the two embraced in a hug for several seconds.

The win was special for Hendrick coming on the 40-year anniversary of his team. It was Byron's first Daytona 500 victory and the ninth for Hendrick Motorsports. That tied the team with Petty Enterprises for the most in NASCAR history. Hendrick Motorsports also took second with Alex Bowman finishing close behind Byron under caution.

Rick Hendrick hugs Jeff Gordon

Hendrick met Byron when Byron was a 15-year-old promising driver, hired him in 2016 and promoted him to the Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in 2018.

As Byron's career was taking off Jeff Gordon's was winding down. Gordon, a three-time winner of the Daytona 500, retired in 2015 after winning four NASCAR Cup Series championships (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001).

On Monday, Gordon and Hendricks also embraced as soon as Byron crossed the finish line. Gordon then greeted Byron in the winner's circle.

Gordon drove the No. 24, now driven by Byron. Gordon won all of his 93 NASCAR Cup Series races with the No. 24. Gordon is now vice chairman with Hendrick Motorsports.

More: Who won the 2024 Daytona 500? Winner, full results of NASCAR race at Daytona

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hendrick Motorsports celebrates 40th anniversary with Daytona 500 win