Byron Tabbed To Replace Kahne In The No. 5

Byron Tabbed To Replace Kahne In The No. 5

It didn’t take long for the announcement to come. And though it wasn’t quite as obvious as Erik Jones replacing Matt Kenseth in the No. 20 at Joe Gibbs Racing next year, it was by no means a surprise. Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that William Byron will replace Kasey Kahne next year in the No. 5 Chevrolet. The team announced Monday that Kahne would not return to the team in 2018 despite having one year left on his contract.

Byron signed with Hendrick Motorsports in 2016. During the 2016 season, Byron won seven races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and finished fifth in points. This year Byron is driving for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. He has three wins and sits second in the points heading into this weekend at Mid-Ohio.

The announcement completes Hendrick Motorsports driver lineup for the 2018 season. Earlier this summer the team announced Alex Bowman would take over the No. 88 machine in 2018, replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr. who is retiring at seasons end. Bowman and Byron join seven-time cup series champion Jimmie Johnson (No. 48) and 2016 cup series Rookie of the Year Chase Elliott (No. 24) at HMS.

So for those keeping score at home, here are the confirmed changes you will see heading to Daytona for the start of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

No. 12 at Team Penske – Ryan Blaney

No. 21 at Wood Brothers Racing – Paul Menard

No. 20 at Joe Gibbs Racing – Erik Jones

No. 88 at Hendrick Motorsports – Alex Bowman

No. 5 at Hendrick Motorsports William Byron

Despite the changes, plenty of big names are still without a ride for 2018. Kenseth, Kahne and 2017 Daytona 500 winner Kurt Busch are among those that do not have a ride in place for next season.