CONCORD, N.C. – Entering the first off-weekend of the 2019 campaign, William Byron and his crew chief, Chad Knaus, are hard at work for more on the racetrack.
So far this season, the No. 24 team has started on the front row three times, including a pole in the Daytona 500. But they're looking to add to their one top-10 finish together in 2019.
“I think he’s just trying to figure out ways that we can improve the cars and also the communication,” Byron said of Knaus. “When you’re not where you want to be, you definitely have to communicate a lot more to get there. He’s not shy of giving me a call and asking my opinion on stuff and vice versa.”
The driver said the chemistry between him and his crew chief has continued to build through the first nine races of the year and he believes it will continue to pay off as the season progresses.
“He is very intense and very focused,” the driver said of his crew chief. “I think that’s a good thing. It kind of keeps everything going in the right direction. He works really hard. I feel like I talk to him more than I do, or I have, any other crew chief that I’ve worked with during the week and getting to the racetrack. So, I think that’s all good.”
Last weekend at Richmond Raceway, Byron spent the race inside the top 15. With Knaus atop the pit box, the No. 24 team was able to finish 13th. Every week Byron and Knaus work to improve their car and strategy for the upcoming races.
This weekend, with no race on the schedule, provides a chance to recharge.
But the break won't stop their determination to strive for a No. 24 team trip to Victory Lane this season. In fact, Byron is using his spare time to win in as many situations as possible.
“It would be great to get in something and win,” Byron said. “It’s been a while since I’ve won, so that’s definitely hard because race car drivers need to win. But I think that honestly, I do other things whether it’s going to the karting track or iRacing or just anything that I can do to get in a car and win or have a good result. You’ve ultimately got to know you’re doing all you can and keep going in that direction.”
Byron and Knaus will be in action again next weekend at Talladega Superspeedway on April 28 at 2 p.m. ET on FOX.