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What’s new in NASCAR 2018: New drivers, teams, numbers and more

By Nick Tylwalk

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 31: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet during testing for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on January 31, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for NASCAR)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 31: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet during testing for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on January 31, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for NASCAR) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 31: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet speaks with his crew in the garage during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series testing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on January 31, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for NASCAR)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 31: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet speaks with his crew in the garage during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series testing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on January 31, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for NASCAR) /

William Byron

What’s new: Jumping from XFINITY Series to drive the No. 24 Chevy for Hendrick.

If Kyle Busch is angry about the young drivers getting all the spotlight now, just wait until the first time this guy who looks like he should still be in high school passes him on the last lap. Just 20 years old, Byron already has an XFINITY Series title under his belt, winning four times along the way in 2017.

In one of the cooler sponsorship deals in NASCAR, Byron will have the logo of Liberty University, where he’s currently a student, on the hood of his Camaro. His car number is slightly deceptive, as he’s really the replacement for the departed Kasey Kahne and inherited the 24 in a number swapping deal.

Still, there’s definite pressure in sporting the same number as Jeff Gordon at Hendrick, especially with Axalta along for the ride as well. Whether Byron can translate his XFINITY success to the Cup Series right out of the gate should be fascinating to watch — and possibly infuriating for the likes of Busch.

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