Byron lands top-tier ride at Hendrick

CONCORD, N.C. — A racing 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., NASCAR’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 top-tier Cup Series ride for one of NASCAR’s most accomplished teams. Byron is scheduled to make his Cup debut at Daytona in February.

“It’s pretty cool to be in the other side of the picture,” Byron said.

Byron, who will turn 20 in November, is in his first season in the second-tier Xfinity Series. He has three wins, including ones at Daytona and Indianapolis, and currently ranks second in points while driving for Hendrick-allied JR Motorsports. He also won seven times — a record for a rookie — in the Truck Series in 2016.

“You can’t teach speed and you can’t train talent,” 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 champion Johnson, Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman in Hendrick’s four-car Cup 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 under the age of 25 and Johnson, who will turn 42 next month.

“I don’t really have much of a concern,” said Hendrick, adding that Johnson will be a mentor while 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.”