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William Byron: Addition of Chad Knaus is "a huge honor and blessing"

At 20 years old and less than a year of experience in the NASCAR Cup Series, the prospects of working with a seven-time series champion crew chief might seem a bit intimidating for William Byron.

Jim Utter

Edited: Oct 12, 2018, 8:36 PM

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro AXALTA/IMRON Rick Hendrick

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Hendrick Autoguard

Chad Knaus

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Hendrick Autoguard

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Hendrick Autoguard, Darian Grubb

Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Lowe's for Pros Chad Knaus

Chad Knaus, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Lowe's for Pros

Byron, however, believes Chad Knaus’ style and work ethic will be good matches and provide him the guidance he needs to succeed on the Cup series level.

Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday that Knaus and driver Jimmie Johnson would end their 17-year relationship working together at the end of this season. As part of the changes, Knaus will take over the reins of Byron’s No. 24 team.

“This year, I’ve learned a lot, there’s been a lot of things that I’ve had to go through and experience,” Byron said. “It’s a huge honor and blessing that I get that chance to work with somebody like that.

“Mr. Hendrick’s given me unbelievable opportunities. He’s laid it out for me and that’s all you can dream of as a driver.”

Byron said he’s worked with some people with similar personality traits as Knaus which he believes will be an “exciting opportunity.”

“It makes me look forward to it. I feel like I do well in that environment and it’s going to push me to do better,” he said. “That’s what I need and I feel like going into my second year, I’ve learned the ropes of the Cup Series and I can go out and our goal is to win.

“I think also holding people accountable and being a team leader is important. Obviously, I’m 20-years-old right now so it’s difficult for me to do all that on my own, and I think that Chad helps establish that environment around the team.”

From the editor, also read:

Byron is currently 22nd in the series standings and has three top-10 finishes in 30 starts this season. He is a four-time race winner and former champion in the Xfinity Series (2017) and a seven-time race winner in the Camping World Truck Series.

Knaus said the opportunity to work with Byron puts him in a similar situation as to when he started off with Johnson nearly two decades ago.

“This kid has got a boat load of talent,” Knaus said of Byron. “So, for me to get the opportunity to work with him is just like getting the opportunity to work with Jimmie back then. That excitement level is very, very similar.

“Now, it’s a little different right because back then we didn’t have anything. We hadn’t won a race, we hadn’t done much of anything. I’m very fortunate that I’ve won some races. He has already won a championship in the Xfinity Series and the kid is 20 years old.

“I’m an old racer guy, but I’m totally geeked to be crew chief on the No. 24 car. I’m not lying when I said that when I started here I was like ‘Man I want to be crew chief on that No. 24 car’. I always wanted to be Jeff Gordon’s crew chief, I didn’t make that happen, but I was at least crew chief for his team and for his car number.”

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