# William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports mechanical issues > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/william-byron-and-hendrick-motorsports-mechanical-issues > Updated: 2026-09-09T20:38:12.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. William Byron and his Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 team have faced a series of mechanical setbacks that have severely impacted his NASCAR championship prospects. Following a race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the team faced penalties and crew suspensions after a left-rear wheel detached from Byron’s Chevrolet. The incident, described as a “tire-and-wheel safety violation,” occurred after a pit stop where the crew only changed the right-side tires. Two crew members were issued two-week suspensions. Further complications arose during the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, where Byron suffered a complete engine failure. The resulting 37th-place finish left him 114 points behind the leader. While Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott remain competitive in the standings, analysts have suggested Byron’s championship bid is effectively over due to the significant points gap. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Hendrick Motorsports faces championship challenges after Byron engine failure William Byron’s NASCAR championship hopes have diminished after an engine failure at Darlington left him 16th in the standings, shifting focus to teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hendrick-motorsports-faces-championship-challenges-after-byron-engine-failure ### 2026-08-23: Hendrick Motorsports faces crew suspensions after William Byron's wheel failure William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports face crew suspensions and penalties after a left-rear wheel detached during the New Hampshire race, causing a crash and impacting Byron's championship standings. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hendrick-motorsports-faces-crew-suspensions-after-william-byrons-wheel-failure --- Cite as: William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports mechanical issues. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/william-byron-and-hendrick-motorsports-mechanical-issues