William Byron and car owner Dale Earnhardt Jr brief the media center after winning the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series title
William Byron fought a tough battle with teammate Elliott Sadler en route to the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. He finished 3rd in the race, enough to win the title.
“I don’t think I breathed the last 20 laps,” William Byron stated from Homestead-Miami Speedway after winning the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. “That was incredible.”
Related: “He cost us a championship and he’s not even racing anybody” – Elliott Sadler
“I’m Happy for William,” Dale Earnhardt Jr told reporters in the media center of Homestead-Miami Speedway. “This kid’s the total package. Obviously, we see he’s got talent.”
“But, what is going to be exciting for me, Kelley, LW, Dave and everybody that already knows him so well… Is to watch everybody else get to know what kinda person he is.”
William Byron will move on to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2018. He will drive for Hendrick Motorsports full-time, piloting the famed #24 car.
Related: William Byron to replace Kasey Kahne
Dale Earnhardt JR continued, “As he goes on to the cup series and gets introduced to the fans and the industry more, it’s going to hear everybody else see, what we already see.”
We never had to worry about any rookie mistakes.
-Dale Earnhardt Jr
“I appreciate William’s efforts. Came in, as a rookie — We never had to worry about any rookie mistakes. He’s driven like a veteran, all year.”
“Thrilled for him to be able to take this trophy and put it into his resume as he moves on up into the cup series.
“It’s been an awesome few years,” William Byron stated from the Homestead Miami-Speedway media center. “To come back into this company and really grow with it. And to see the commitment they had to me, to get me to this point.”
We really were at our best the last few races.
-William Byron
“We really were at our best the last few races. It’s a total team effort and it’s really cool.”
Related: Jeff Gordon on William Byron
Kelley Earnhardt Miller stated, “I liked in 2014, when we knew at Phoenix that we were gunna be the champion. This was pretty nerve racking today.”
“Really proud of our organization, to have 3 competing. It was really hard to watch and pull for all 3.”
I’m going to remember this, when I’m ready to throw in the towel
-Kelley Earnhardt
“This is real hard. It’s hard to do. It’s really challenging through the year. So I’m going to remember this, when I’m ready to throw in the towel.”
JR Motorsports finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the series standings.
William Byron won 4 races in the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. He led 262 laps and collected 22 top 10 finishes in 33 starts.
Related: Rick Hendrick didn’t choose William Byron to save money
William Byron and Dale Earnhardt Jr
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Kelley Earnhardt Miller
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Links
William Byron | Dale Jr | Kelley Earnhardt | JR Motorsports | NASCAR