What started as a lighthearted social media joke has turned into a full-fledged moment for NASCAR’s newest back-to-back Daytona 500 winner, William Byron. The 27-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver has playfully embraced an online rumor that he was flirting with pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter—going so far as to invite the Espresso hitmaker to a race!
The buzz started when a parody X (formerly Twitter) account posted a photoshopped screenshot, making it look like Byron had slid into Carpenter’s Instagram comments following his big win on Sunday. Instead of shutting it down, Byron leaned into the joke, proving he’s got both a sense of humor and an appreciation for the pop star.
Byron’s Invitation to Sabrina Carpenter
When TMZ Sports caught up with Byron on Friday, he acknowledged the viral moment with a laugh. “They do a really good job with Photoshop nowadays,” he admitted, referencing the account behind the prank. “It was a good parody account—they did a good job.”
But the real headline came when Byron casually extended an invite to Carpenter. “Maybe we can get her out to a race or something, that would be great. Or I can get to a show. That would be fun.”
And while the racer got a little shy when asked for a personal message for the pop star, he did throw in a compliment: “Her music’s pretty good!!”
Could a Fast & Furious Romance Be on the Horizon?
With Byron celebrating his massive Daytona 500 victory and Carpenter riding high off her chart-topping success with Espresso and Feather, the two are both at the peak of their respective careers. Could this playful exchange turn into something more?
Whether Carpenter takes him up on the invite remains to be seen, but NASCAR fans and pop music lovers alike are already revving their engines at the possibility of an unexpected crossover between the racing world and the music charts.
One thing’s for sure—if Sabrina ever wants a Taste of the fast life, William Byron’s got the perfect seat waiting for her.
