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William Byron and Rudy Fugle really needed this one

William Byron first worked with crew chief Rudy Fugle in January 2016 at a little-known short track race called ‘Speedfest’ in Cordele, Georgia and have spent all but three years together since.Their Speedfest effort was designed to give them a…

Published: Monday, 2 November 2026 at 2:54 AM
William Byron and Rudy Fugle really needed this one
Key Things to Know
  • William Byron and crew chief Rudy Fugle broke a season-long winless streak by winning at Martinsville Speedway.
  • The Martinsville victory marked the pair's fourth win at the Virginia track and extended a seven-year streak.
  • Crew chief Rudy Fugle took responsibility for missteps that caused the No. 24 car's lack of mid-season speed.
The Story in 60 Seconds

William Byron and crew chief Rudy Fugle secured their first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season at Martinsville Speedway, ending a year-long winless drought. The Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 team claimed their fourth victory together at the Virginia track, sustaining their seven-year winning streak despite entering the playoffs as the 13th seed during a challenging 2026 campaign.

Both Byron and Fugle acknowledged the adversity they navigated this year, with Fugle taking personal responsibility for middle-season car setup issues and a noticeable lack of speed. Byron emphasized their persistent work ethic and relief at avoiding a completely winless season while teammate Kyle Larson contended for another championship title.

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