CONCORD, N.C. -- Wednesday night, William Byron earned a top-five finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Thursday morning, it was announced that Hendrick Motorsports had signed the 18-year-old driver to a multi-year agreement.
“It’s been a good couple of days for us," Byron said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. "It’s been awesome.”
Byron, who has posted a rookie record five NCWTS victories this season, will race full-time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports beginning in 2017.
He is familiar with the organization, as he won two races while competing for JRM’s late model program in 2014 and 2015.
After the announcement was made, the driver tweeted that it was "a dream come true."
During his SiriusXM NASCAR Radio interview, he expounded on that sentiment.
“Being with Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports has just always been a goal of mine," he said. "I grew up a Jimmie Johnson fan so it’s really a dream come true to be part of the organization and have (Hendrick Motorsports owner) Mr. (Rick) Hendrick’s support."
Byron explained that in sitting down with Hendrick to discuss the multi-year driver agreement, it became clear that it was the perfect fit.
"I was just amazed by him; I always have been," he said. "It’s been one of those things that just made sense. I never thought an opportunity would come about like this. I didn’t know that he would be open to that or have the potential to support something like that. But now that it has come together, it’s been something that I feel is a great fit and something I can thrive in."
An added benefit? The organization is headquartered near his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
In fact, Byron visited the Hendrick Motorsports campus multiple times as a fan growing up.
"I told Mr. Hendrick that walking in now and being a part of it is really, really cool," Byron said. "I’m just fortunate to have the opportunity and I can’t wait to get going next year in the XFINITY Series and try to win races for those guys and make Mr. Hendrick proud.”