The final race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season saw William Byron challenge, albeit unsuccessfully, for the ultimate prize in the sport at the Phoenix Raceway. One would imagine Hendrick Motorsports throwing their entire weight, might, and personnel behind the #24 driver on the big day. However, there was something amiss: team owner Rick Hendrick was not seen at the venue on Sunday.
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Seasoned NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass revealed that the 75-year-old businessman was suffering from a sinus infection that relegated him to the confines of his house.
“Rick Hendrick is not here in Phoenix for the championship race today. He stayed home with a sinus infection,” wrote Pockrass on X (formerly Twitter).
Several other team owners, including 23XI Racing’s Michael Jordan and Team Penske’s Roger Penske, were seen at the venue as their drivers battled it out on track.
The #22 Ford Mustang, driven by Joey Logano for Roger Penske, clinched the title after defending his position from teammate Ryan Blaney. Tyler Reddick, another one of the four contenders, clearly lacked the pace through the race to challenge the frontrunners and finished sixth. Byron, meanwhile, finished fourth.
Fans react to Mr. Hendrick’s Phoenix absence
Followers of the sport flooded social media with comments and speculations on why Hendrick was absent from the most important race of the season. With Byron making his second Final 4 appearance, and with a lot of intrigue hanging in the air after the controversial race at Martinsville, he was expected to be around. Several fans opined that the team owner skipped the finale since he knew what would transpire.
“He knows he is not going to win anyway. Penske is there, he has bought the championship,” wrote one fan, with a rather questionable take on the championship finale. “He knows the script, Penske winning,” wrote another on the same lines.
He knows the script, Penske winning
— NotErikJones 🇺🇸 (@NotErikJones43) November 10, 2024
While some decided to call out the reason directly, others voiced their reasons discreetly, with one fan hinting: “He already knows the outcome.. ‘sinus infection’ lol,”
Another fan did not mince any words and wrote up front, “Don’t think he expects to win this one.”
While the fraternity joked about why they thought Hendrick was missing from the 2024 season finale, it remains to be seen how he reacts to the eventual outcome of the event: Logano and Team Penske winning the ultimate prize in a rather ironic fashion.
