William Byron 2019 season in review

William Byron significantly improved his numbers from a season ago -- his debut season in the NASCAR Cup Series. Dropping his average finish to 14.89 from a 22.1 mark set last year, Byron wheeled Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 24 car to 11th place in the final 2019 standings.

Starting the season, Byron focused on building chemistry with his new and legendary crew chief, Chad Knaus, who switched over to command the No. 24 after winning seven championships with Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48.

Byron showed flashes of dominating speed, winning the first Busch Pole Award of the season -- and first of his career -- at the Daytona 500 in February. He went on to win four more poles in 2019, trailing only Kevin Harvick (six) for most in the series.

After not finishing inside the top five the entire 2018 season, Byron notched five top-five finishes in 2019. His 13 top 10s and 233 laps led were second best among Hendrick Motorsports drivers, only behind Chase Elliott.

Byron's best finish of the regular season came in the second trip to Daytona International Speedway, posting a runner-up effort after a late-race caution. The second-place finish was the highest of his career at any track.

Collecting enough points throughout the regular season, Byron made his first NASCAR Playoffs appearance, slotted 13th at the start of the postseason.

Byron earned a pair of top 10s in the Round of 16, joining teammates Elliott and Alex Bowman in the Round of 12. Byron finished seventh at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as well as a sixth at Charlotte Motor Speedway's Roval after starting on the pole.

Byron rounded out a career year with a pair of top fives in the final five races of the season. His runner-up result at Martinsville Speedway in October matched his highest career finish at any track, set earlier in the season.