Byron, who had dominated the occasion and gained the primary two phases having led 176 of 271 laps, misplaced the lead throughout a spherical of late pitstops and it appeared his Hendrick Motorsports team-mate Kyle Larson was set to cruise to victory.
However Aric Almirola’s spin seven laps from the top despatched the race right into a two-lap time beyond regulation. Martin Truex Jr elected to stay on the monitor whereas Byron and Larson got here out second and third, due to two-tyre stops.
Byron powered previous Truex coming into Flip Three with one lap remaining and held off Larson by zero.622 seconds to earn the win.
The victory is the fifth in Byron’s profession and his first of the 2023 season. With fellow Hendrick driver Alex Bowman ending up third by passing Truex Jr, the Hendrick squad claimed its third-ever 1-2-Three end within the NASCAR Cup collection.
By a coincidence, the highest three lockout was additionally taken by the group’s remaining full-time drivers, with its fourth common entry Chase Elliott out of motion after suffering a leg injury in a snowboarding accident final week.
“Simply been actually assured in regards to the group of men that I’ve on this #24 group. They work extraordinarily onerous, and we spent loads of time within the low season simply going via operating on the sim with Chevy and operating on iRacing and simply making an attempt to get higher as a race automotive driver and as a group,” Byron mentioned.
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, RaptorTough.com Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images
“It’s all in regards to the group. It’s a terrific pitcrew. Considering of Chase [Elliott] again residence. Want he was out right here with us. He is a terrific driver, nice team-mate. Want he was out right here.
“Actually after we obtained again in site visitors, it was slightly bit tight, however we knew we had pace so we simply needed to have the best issues play out, and Rudy [Fugle, crew chief] made a superb name, so it was good.”
Bubba Wallace ended up fourth forward of Christopher Bell and Austin Cindric.
Truex Jr’s late gamble didn’t repay as he dropped to seventh on the chequered flag, as Justin Haley, Kevin Harvick and Daniel Suarez accomplished the highest 10.
Chevrolet drivers have now gained the primary three races of the season for the primary time for the reason that 2010 season.
Xfinity collection common Josh Berry, who substituted for the injured Elliott, ended up 29th and two laps down.
NASCAR Cup – Las Vegas race outcomes – 271 laps
