NASCAR’s William Byron stopped eating Pop Tarts, and now he’s in the Playoffs

William Byron has long described himself as just a “normal guy” — an everyman who likes to spend his free time hanging out with friends at home in Charlotte, North Carolina. But this weekend, the man behind the wheel of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 car has a chance to do something extremely not normal: He’s one of the four remaining contenders vying for the NASCAR Cup Series championship in this weekend’s finale at Phoenix Raceway.

Also not so normal: Byron’s path to NASCAR success. He famously got his opportunity through sim racing, turning a prolific career in iRacing into a real-life shot in a race car. Even his entry into this weekend’s Championship Four was unconventional: His rival for the final spot, Christopher Bell, was booted from the playoffs after he received a safety penalty for riding the wall on the final lap at Martinsville — all while Byron’s Chevrolet manufacturer-mates (somewhat controversially) made Bell’s last-laps attempt at a challenge more difficult.

Despite all that, Byron wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t put in a full season’s worth of work — and coming into it, an off-season’s worth of focus on his physical preparation. He admits that he didn’t pay much attention to his fitness, dating back to his rookie year in 2018. But coming into 2024, it’s been a difference-maker from day one, literally: Byron won the Daytona 500. 

“Before this year, I didn’t really enjoy working out,” he says. Now, though, he’s realized it’s a way to keep everything on track at the track. “For me, it’s all about never being a weak link for my team,” he says. “And fitness is my way of never being that weak link.”

We caught up with the championship contender to talk about making his peace with running and breaking his sugar-frosted breakfast habit.

What’s a typical workout week like for William Byron?
It’s a combination of running and lifting. It’s changed over the years, and it’s really whatever makes me feel the best. I’m pretty active with my workouts right now, and I feel like it’s become a passion of mine.

Was it a case of: the more you did it, the more you got addicted to it?
I feel like I just enjoy the benefits of it. It helps me in the car, it helps me feel better as a person, and it helps me feel better sleeping. So, I just think it’s made life better. A lot of that has to do with being in the car, sure, but also just being fit in my everyday life.