LAS VEGAS -- Before Wednesday, William Byron had never driven a lap inside of a NASCAR Cup Series car.
By lunchtime on Wednesday, he had already jumped to the top of the standings during this week's test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Byron posted the fastest speed in the morning sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday, and he said the new No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 "has been really good so far."
"It’s shown the speed, and that’s good, and also we feel like we’ve got it driving pretty good," Byron said. "So, hopefully that’s a good thing when we come back here."
The 20-year-old driver said the experience of finally getting inside his new Cup Series ride has been, in a word, "awesome."
"It’s been really a dream come true to get in one of these cars and have Hendrick Motorsports behind me – it’s really cool," he said. "It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a blast.”
Byron noted that the test has already been tremendously helpful as he continues to build his relationship with the No. 24 team and crew chief Darian Grubb.
“Honestly it was just exciting just to get in the car and be able to experience this for the first time," the driver said. "It’s been a lot of fun just learning the guys and just being in the car, really. So, I’m enjoying it and just trying to take it all in.”