Clutch Trouble Sends NASCAR Leader William Byron to Pit on Lap 3

NASCAR Cup Series points leader William Byron was forced to pit on Lap 3 of Sunday’s Grant Park 165 on the Chicago street course after reporting severe clutch slipping even before the green flag. Radio traffic captured Byron telling crew chief Rudy Fugle that the problem “isn’t going to last,” as the No. 24 Chevrolet struggled to accelerate and fell off the pace. Hendrick Motorsports had already been slated to start from the rear after inspection issues, compounding the setback. Engineers instructed Byron to "run until it doesn’t go no more," but the driver ultimately limped to pit road for repairs under the Damaged Vehicle Policy, jeopardizing his bid to protect the regular-season points lead. Michael McDowell capitalized on the disrupted start to take the early lead, while Byron’s crew assessed whether the clutch could be fixed in time to rejoin the 165-mile race.