Could Xfinity rookie William Byron replace Dale Jr. next season?

One name that continues to come up is Hendrick Motorsports development driver William Byron. Byron, 19, is currently second in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving for Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports.

When asked about the possibility of stepping up to Cup next season, Byron said he’s just focussed on this season.

“I think we’re just 17 races into the Xfinity schedule,” Byron said. “Just hopefully have a good run at Richmond and keep the hard work going and see what we can do the rest of year.

“Every one of us wants to race in the Cup Series. That’s the ultimate goal. I’d be ready for anything I think. But right now I’m just focussing on what I can do at JRM, see what we can do the rest of the year and hopefully, compete for a championship.”

Byron scored seven wins and three poles in his first full season on the Camping World Truck Series tour last year before finishing fifth. In his first seven NXS starts, he has one pole two top fives and five top 10s. His best finish was fourth at Phoenix Raceway.

Byron doesn’t have to convince his veteran JRM teammate Elliott Sadler that he’s ready to take that next step.

“He’s got it,” Sadler said. “He’s one of these kids that’s got it — is going to go Cup and understands it. I think once he just learns these tracks and these races and setting them up for the longevity of them, making adjustments and all that, once he gets all that nailed, he’s going to win a bunch of races, not only in Xfinity but in Cup races.

“I’m not sure what his future holds, but my job as a teammate with experience is to try and help him as much as I can because the better he runs, the better it is for the entire company.”