By: Jacob Seelman – Speed 77 Radio
CHARLOTTE, NC — Anyone who’s seen William Byron race in 2013 would think he’s been behind the wheel ever since he could put his foot down.
However, for the 15-year-old out of Charlotte, North Carolina, his story is made all the more astonishing because of the fact that his first time behind the wheel was last November (2012). In his rookie season, Byron has quickly established himself as the driver to beat when it comes to US Young Lions Legends Car competition in 2013.
Prior to making his first start in a Legends Car in November of 2012, the only experience William had racing was via iRacing.com and their motorsports simulation service. But simulation wasn’t enough, Byron had found a passion and drive that was leading him behind the wheel in real life. He hopped in a Legends Car in November 2012 at the legendary Rockingham Speedway and immediately proved that all the virtual seat time was going to pay off. He qualified second for the feature event and came home a solid fourth in his debut, astonishing the masses and making a case for a full-time run in 2013.
And since that full-time opportunity has come about, the talented young driver, who lauds 5-time Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson as one of his heroes, has not disappointed yet. He has proceeded to march around the Southeast, racing at tracks such as Concord Speedway, Caraway Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, and excelling at every one of them.
Byron scored his first win of the year at Concord on March 29th, and since then, has gone on a tear that includes 13 wins (9 at Concord, 2 at Charlotte, 1 each at Atlanta and Caraway), 25 top-fives and 28 top-tens in just 34 starts this season. His accolades include wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s annual Summer Shootout Series (June 11th), Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Thursday Thunder Series (June 20th) and a win in the Legends All-Star Race at Charlotte as the highest finisher in the Young Lions Division.
“What we’ve done in so short a time, it really does give me a lot of confidence going forward, you know, that we can go out and accomplish all the goals we’ve set,” Byron said Tuesday night in an interview with Speed77 Radio before the Jack in the Box Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He would ultimately finish fourth in the Young Lions feature event won by Carson Ferguson.
As of this past Friday (June 24th), when the new US Legends national points were released, Byron is scored as the National Points Leader in the Asphalt Young Lions division, by 32 points over one of his best friends and closest competitors, Payton Ryan.
When asked recently if it’s tough to maintain a close friendship despite the fierce competition, William laughed before replying, “I don’t know how (Payton and I) manage to do it, but we do. And we always race each other with respect.”
Byron currently sits second in the points chase for the Summer Shootout championship, just 16 markers behind championship leader Connor Pyle, but while the Shootout title and accolades would be nice, ultimately, that national trophy is what the rookie sensation has his eye on.
“I think we can win the national championship,” Byron affirmed after the Shootout Tuesday night. “Just gotta keep doing what we’re doing.”
This season, William Byron will race an estimated 60 times in his quest for the 2013 US Legends Young Lions National Championship. His schedule will see him travel to six states, logging thousands of miles in an attempt to realize his dream. William has accepted each challenge he’s been faced with in his quickly blossoming career with focus, determination and perseverance. He accepts nothing short of perfection with one ultimate goal in mind, to reach the highest levels of NASCAR.
PHOTO CREDIT: RacingRulz
