The first race in the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Playoffs did not go as planned for many post-season drivers. However, William Byron is good with how it ended.

The AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 was shortened by 100 miles this year by NASCAR. I would imagine a couple of drivers would have like it to go that additional distance to see if that would have reversed some misfortune for them.

Bubba Wallace was having an amazing day in Texas. He started from the pole position and led a race high 111 laps. However, as shade began to cover the track, other cars were able to race forward, challenge and pass him. His team was able to adjust the car for him to race back and challenge for the win near the end of the race. Had that additional 100 miles still been a part of the race, he might have been able to change how it ended.

Kyle Larson was one of the cars that was able to race to Bubba as the sun was going down. He took the lead of the race near the end of stage two and was the winner of that stage. (Tyler Reddick was the winner of stage one, if you were wondering.) Kyle was able to keep control of the race for the majority of the final stage. In fact, he had built a comfortable lead when a couple of on track incidents brought out the caution flag to bring the field back together.

Kyle and Bubba were racing side-by-side for the lead after a re-start. Kyle’s car lost grip in the rear tires causing him to slide up the track and into the wall. That ended Kyle’s chance of winning the race.

The 11th and final caution of the day took place on lap 257. The final re-start happened on lap 261. On that re-start of the race Bubba Wallace and Chase Briscoe were racing for the lead side-by-side. That allowed William Byron to race from third place past both of them and take the lead. He was able to hold his only lead of the race for the final six laps and capture the win.

The win was his first in the 2023 NASCAR Playoffs. This gave William his series leading sixth win of the 2023 Cup Series season. It was his 10th career Cup Series win. The win is also the 300th win for Hendrick Motorsports. With the win, William automatically advances to the next round of the NASCAR Playoffs.

Ross Chastain was able to win second-place. Bubba Wallace held on for a podium finish in third-place. See the complete race results for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 here.

With the win, William Byron remains where he was to before the race in the standings, in the top spot. Denny Hamlin moves up to second-place and Chris Buescher to third. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.

Next up for the NASCAR Playoffs is a “Wild Card” with the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday, October 1st.

By: Buck Stevens