Byron moving to Cup Series in 2018
CONCORD, N.C. — A NASCAR fan who grew up in North Carolina, William Byron remembers peering into windows at Hendrick Motorsports. He saw cars built for Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sport’s biggest stars during Byron’s 19 years.
Soon, he will be on the opposite side of the glass.
Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that Byron will replace Kasey Kahne in the No. 5 Chevrolet beginning in 2018, giving the teenager a Cup Series ride for one of NASCAR’s most accomplished teams. Byron is scheduled to make his debut in the top-tier series in February at Daytona International Speedway.
“It’s pretty cool to be in the other side of the picture,” said Byron, whose car will be sponsored by Axalta Coating Systems and Liberty University.
Byron, who will turn 20 in November, is in his first season in the second-tier Xfinity Series. He has three wins, including at Daytona and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and is second in points while driving for Hendrick-allied JR Motorsports, which Earnhardt co-owns. He also won a rookie-record seven times in the Camping World Truck Series last year.
“You can’t teach speed, and you can’t train talent,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “And he has all those other qualities — smart, dedicated, culture, work ethic. He’s got the whole package.”
Byron will join seven-time season champion Johnson, Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman in Hendrick’s four-car Cup Series lineup next season. Instead of the star-studded group that featured Gordon, Johnson and Earnhardt a few years ago, the team will have three drivers younger than 25 and Johnson, who will turn 42 next month. Earnhardt is retiring after this season, and Gordon has already started his broadcasting career.
“I don’t really have much of a concern,” said Hendrick, adding that Johnson will be a mentor and Gordon and Earnhardt will still have roles with the organization. “So they’ve got a lot of coaches. But the main thing is just not putting too much pressure on them and letting them go out and learn.
“If William continues to do what he’s done in every series he’s been in, he’ll adapt fine and he will learn. You might as well let him learn in what he’s going to be driving for years to come.”
Kahne and Hendrick agreed to part ways Monday, just weeks after Kahne earned a playoff spot by winning the Brickyard 400. Hendrick said Wednesday that his former driver remains under contract for another year and likely will land at an “alliance” program next season.
“I’m not going to mention the team, but there are several situations that we’re talking to (about) kind of an alliance, which would be good for everyone,” Hendrick said. “We’re working on it. We’ve been working on it. We’ll just see how it develops.”