Byron Goes to Victory Lane in Clyde Hart Memorial Tune-Up

William Byron scored his first victory since the Slinger Nationals last July.

Late Models

by Zach Evans on Feb 14, 2023

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William Byron has become a frequent Super Late Model competitor when his NASCAR Cup Series schedule allows, including the Clyde Hart Memorial scheduled for Tuesday night at New Smyrna Speedway.

Byron opted to show up one night early during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing to prepare for Tuesday’s 100-lap affair, and took away the win for his effort. Byron dominated the 35-lap prelude to Tuesday’s Clyde Hart Memorial, taking the lead from the green flag and leading the rest of the way.

“The guys brought a great car tonight," said Byron. "It was nice to come in short notice, race, and have such a good car. I’m thankful to win a race again. I haven’t won a race in half a year. It’s nice to win a race.”

Byron held on despite a restart with six laps to go, holding off Casey Roderick and William Sawalich for the victory. The win, his first since the Slinger Nationals last summer, was a good test of his abilities to start the year despite being a 35-lap sprint.

“Trying to perfect my craft, working with these guys and getting better. These cars make me better as a driver, and that’s what I do it for.”

Like Sunday night, Casey Roderick set fat time in qualifying but started sixth due to the random draw for the invert. And like Sunday night, Roderick came up one spot short of charging to a victory.

“Luckily, we had that caution at the end and started on the outside with William [Byron]," said Roderick on the FloRacing broadcast. "He was really good, so I took the outside to restart with him and it worked out.

While it was William Sawalich on Sunday night and William Byron on Monday, the same first name for both winners added to the déjà vu for Roderick.

“Last night, William won against us, and then William today. We’ve got some work to do to make some adjustments and see what we can do.”

Sawalich won Sunday night’s 35-lapper to kick off the World Series. He started from the pole on Monday night following the invert and scored another podium finish to maintain his strong start to Speedweeks.

“I think we’ve got a really strong car, especially a long-run car here will be good tomorrow night. I’m looking forward to that, and I think we can pick up the win.”

Tuesday’s Clyde Hart Memorial is $10,000 to win, counting towards the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing Super Late Model championship while also marking the points-paying season opener for the ASA Southern Super Series. As of Monday, 27 cars were entered for the event.

SUPER LATE MODEL UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
FEBRUARY 13, 2023