William Byron Will Drive a Kobe Bryant Tribute No. 24 Car This Weekend

William Byron drives the No. 24 car for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series. It’s a car number that was made famous in NASCAR by Jeff Gordon. However, it’s also a number that was made famous in the NBA by the legendary Kobe Bryant.

This weekend at Auto Club Speedway, the track closest to Los Angeles, Byron will drive an Axalta-sponsored tribute car in honor of Bryant.

This weekend: A tribute…https://t.co/zEdqy0tNVW pic.twitter.com/PHQnKGbJWD

— Axalta Racing (@AxaltaRacing) February 25, 2020

“Our thoughts continue to be with the Bryant, Altobelli, Chester, Mauser and Zobayan families,” said Wade Robinson, managing director of global motorsports at Axalta Coating Systems in a press release. “Kobe Bryant was a legend in many ways, namely through his remarkable athletic ability but also due to his great work in the community and his philanthropic endeavors. He touched people around the world and in every walk of life. Axalta is honored to be a part of the No. 24 tribute benefiting After-School All-Stars and to remember Kobe, Gianna, Payton, Sarah, Alyssa, Keri, John, Christina, and Ara.”

The purple and gold No. 24 machine will honor the fallen NBA star, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash on January 26th along with his daughter Gianna and seven other people.

Hendrick Motorsports announced in a press release that all proceeds from diecast sales of the Bryant tribute scheme will be donated to After-School All-Stars by Byron, 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports and collectibles manufacturer Lionel.

The car will also feature the logo of the After-School All-Stars on the rear bumper.