NASCAR: 2018 Hendrick Motorsports outlook

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 11: Team owner, Rick Hendrick, Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's for Pros Chevrolet, and Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, stand on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 11, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 11: William Byron, driver of the #24 AXALTA Chevrolet (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

William Byron

In the past two seasons, William Byron has put up impeccable numbers in two different series and was able to win the Xfinity Series championship, blazing his way into the Cup Series. He’ll get his first ever start in this year’s Daytona 500.

Looking at such amazing numbers, it’s easy to expect a lot out of a phenom like Byron, but you also have to remember that he is just a rookie and not many rookies have overly successful seasons.

I’m looking for something similar to Chase Elliott’s rookie season where Byron is consistent and challenges for a couple wins but never manages to take that next step. I believe that sneaking a win or two is possible for Byron, though. Much like Elliott was, he should be on the brink multiple times.

The hype surrounding rookies can always be misleading as they come in and you expect them to set the series on fire, but that rarely ends up actually being the case. That being said, if any rookie can make it deep in the playoffs in his rookie year, it’s Byron.

I think Byron is going to the playoffs with or without a win, and he may even make it past the first round. I think he will be outclassed by fellow Hendrick Motorsports drivers in his first season, though.

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