William Byron Breaks NASCAR’s Cursed Regular Season Trend

William Byron just defied a curse that claimed three other NASCAR champions, MotorBiscuit reports. After clinching the 2025 regular season championship, he defied expectations and went on to win the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday. This victory marked the end of a troubling trend that had plagued the last three regular season champions.

Byron led 362 of the 500 laps in the race, sweeping every stage along the way. This win is his first of the 2026 Cup Series season and his first victory since last year's Xfinity 500 at the same track. The Curse of the Regular Season King has been a source of concern for drivers since it first emerged in 2022 with Chase Elliott, continued through 2024 with Tyler Reddick and Martin Truex Jr., and now threatens Byron in 2026.

Before Sunday, Byron had not won a race in the first 34 races of 2026, putting him at risk of joining the unlucky group. However, Byron's masterclass performance snapped that trend. He is currently 12th in points with two races left in the campaign, though he is not in championship contention for this year. Despite this, the win carries significance for his legacy, as he has now won four times at Martinsville, all since 2022.

The focus now shifts to the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where Byron can attempt to close out the year with another victory.