CONCORD, N.C. - As back-to-back, tough-luck finishes punctuated otherwise well-executed races run by William Byron and a speedy No. 24 Chevrolet, crew chief Rudy Fugle kept preaching the importance of a short memory and a willingness to leave last week's race in the past.
As the NASCAR Cup Series shifts its attention to the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway this Sunday, the 24 squad will have to again be able to regroup and refocus quickly.
Albeit, coming off a much better and much more important result.
Indeed, the unfortunate events that put the team behind the Round-of-8 ball at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and at Talladega Superspeedway will be long forgotten to history now after Byron and company won the pole, swept both stages and won their way to Phoenix with a victory at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday.
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And certainly, Fugle, Byron and the team will have put the monumental win and effort away by Monday afternoon. But in the aftermath Sunday, few could blame the driver-crew chief combo for reflecting a bit on a day that could go on to help define both of their careers and at the very least, should stand as yet another testament to the duo's ever-growing penchant for meeting the moment when the moment matters most.
"I think I'm just thankful to have good people around me and a good team. Definitely, the last two weeks were very depressing because there was no result," Byron explained. "Our team could have gone one (of) two ways: We could have been like, 'Vegas didn't go well. Talladega we had a shot to win. Whatever happens at Martinsville ...' But we came here on offense.
"I think that's what I'm super proud of. It was a very freeing position to be in, having to race to win, not like the last couple of years where you had to count points. That freed me up inside the car as well. I think our team just put everything out there this weekend. It was the ultimate test for our group, the ultimate one we've been through yet. That was pretty cool to see."
Certainly, Byron's sentiments illustrate a team that has embraced the philosophies and demeanor of its leader, Fugle. Likewise, Fugle pointed to growth in his 27-year-old driver as a driving force behind the team's third straight Championship 4 appearance.
"He's changed 100%. He's got his own house now. He takes care of a lot of things he never had before," Fugle said. "Just his routine. That's what's changed in the past probably year-and-a-half, is his routine. What he likes to do, how he likes to do it. You don't have to worry about him being prepared. He's able to do all those things with his group, his circle, to be prepared for the race weekend.
"Maturity, I think, is the main thing. He's worried about himself and his race team, the close people in his inner circle. Then it doesn't seem like he cares about much else. That's great. That's the way I try to live my life too - not to worry about what (the media has) to say or anybody else on some internet website or that crap. Anytime you can ignore that, that stuff is going to help you."
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Even within the 500 laps run on Sunday, Byron and the 24 team showed that maturity and pedigree. Prior to stage three, things had gone swimmingly with Byron dominating the early going and winning the first two stages.
However, a bit of fuel strategy flipped the field around to begin the final segment with Ryan Blaney, winner of the last two Martinsville fall races, grabbing the lead and running away. For awhile.
But over time, Byron was able to carve his way back through traffic and continue his pursuit of Blaney, ultimately completing a pass with 43 laps remaining to take the point once again. A caution waved with 16 circuits remaining, necessitating one, final stop for the 24 pit crew, a test it passed with flying colors. And when the green flag dropped again with 11 to go, there was no stopping Byron who powered past Blaney a final time on the side-by-side restart and cruised into the sunset.
Certainly, the moment was heavy. Byron had just punched his ticket into the Championship 4 in the most dramatic fashion possible and did it by running Blaney down and passing him for the lead at Martinsville, a feat as tough as any in recent years.
"I think it's important to reflect," Byron admitted. "I feel like I'm very analytical, some people could say, introspective. I'm probably going to think about all the things that happened. All the moves. I'm going to try to remember the good things. A lot of times your mind doesn't really remember the good things because they're a little bit subconscious.
Yeah, it will be hard to remember exactly how it played out, but I'll try to. I think I will also try to move past and get ready for Phoenix, honestly. Just manage my week. Just manage every opportunity I have to get better. Just try to learn as much as I can."
Certainly, that stay-in-the-moment, next-race-up mentality hasn't failed the 24 team yet. And both Byron and Fugle are still embracing it, after tough losses and yes, after sweet victories as well.
And it may just win them a championship.
"I mean, at this time of year it's easier because there's not many weeks left. All's you have to do is win to have a chance to go to Phoenix. You have to refocus. If you sit there and worry about other things that have already happened, nothing good's going to happen," Fugle summarized. "I told the guys last week that a Martinsville win would feel great because it's my kind of celebration, which is celebrate in victory lane, do the inspection part, get home, then go back to work the next morning and start working on the next win."