Byron Beats Larson In A Las Vegas Stage 2 Showdown That Had Hendrick Fans on Their Feet

Sarah Talker
Mar 14, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron (24) during practice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

William Byron didn’t wait for an invitation. He took one. On Lap 160 of Stage 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Byron dove past his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson and never looked back.

When the checkered flag waved on Lap 165, it was him standing at the top of the scoring pylon, and Larson left to wonder what happened. It was Byron’s first stage win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. It didn’t come easy. Nothing against Larson ever does.

Byron and Larson Put on a Show

Stage 2 at Las Vegas was a Hendrick Motorsports showcase from the opening lap. Larson jumped out early and immediately went door-to-door with Christopher Bell for the race lead. Chase Elliott and Byron joined the battle. It was four wide at the front, and nobody was giving an inch.

Larson eventually cleared Bell on Lap 94 and settled into control. He led 58 of the stage’s laps. Green-flag pit stops cycled through between Lap 121 and Lap 129, and Larson returned to the point. He looked locked in. Then the young driver made his move.

With five laps left in the stage, Byron tracked down Larson and executed a clean pass for the lead. He held it to the end. Larson finished second. Christopher Bell was third. Bubba Wallace ran fourth. Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five after rebounding from a speeding penalty on pit road that dropped him to the rear at the stage’s start.

Stage 1 Belonged To Bell

Before Byron had his moment, Christopher Bell set the tone. The Joe Gibbs Racing polesitter dominated the opening 80 laps and collected the Stage 1 win. It was Bell’s second stage victory of the 2026 campaign.

Denny Hamlin led 59 laps in the opening stage before Bell took over on Lap 72 and drove it home. Larson finished second in Stage 1. Hamlin was third. Ty Gibbs and Bubba Wallace completed the top five.

What This Means For Byron

Byron needed this. A stage win does more than pad points. It sends a message. After Larson dominated Stage 2 for nearly the entire segment Byron reminded everyone in the garage that he belongs in that same conversation. Hendrick Motorsports brought speed to Las Vegas. And that illustrious No. 24 used every bit of it when it mattered most.

Looking Ahead To Stage 3

The 2026 Pennzoil 400 is shaping up to be a Hendrick Motorsports race to lose. Byron has his first stage win. Larson is knocking on the door. Bell is not going away quietly. Las Vegas is delivering exactly what it always does. A fight worth watching.

Sarah is a motorsports journalist covering NASCAR, IMSA, Formula 1, and IndyCar, blending sharp analysis with accessible storytelling shaped by live reporting at the Daytona 500 and Würth 400. She brings an analytical foundation through a B.S. in Political Science and a Master’s in Project Management and Information Technology, and is an active member of the National Society of Leadership and Success through the CTU Chapter, reflecting her commitment to growth and leadership in the industry.