CHARLOTTE, NC :: Charlotte native William Byron will drive full time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Division for HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks and continue driving the No. 9 Late Model for JR Motorsports (JRM) with sponsorship backing from Liberty University in 2015. Liberty University, the largest, non-profit Christian University in the country, was the primary sponsor of Byron’s No. 9 JRM Late Model in 2014 and is moving up the NASCAR ranks into the K&N Pro East Series with him next season.
“Liberty University does not often sponsor race car drivers, but William’s exceptional talent and character traits convinced us to partner with him,” said Liberty University President Jerry Falwell. “We are proud of all William has accomplished representing Liberty University!”
Byron, 17, a junior at Charlotte Country Day School, had a successful 2014 racing season in his Liberty University cars. He competed 56 times across three different series: US Legend Car Pro Division, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (NWAAS) Late Model Division, and select Pro Late Models. In total, he earned 24 pole awards, 11 wins, 29 top-three finishes, and 37 top-five finishes over the course of the year.
“Liberty University has been an incredible partner; I am truly blessed,” Byron said. “Liberty supports my racing career through sponsorship and also understands the importance of my faith and education. Liberty University Online Academy gives me the unique opportunity to pursue my dream of racing without compromising my education no matter where I am in the country competing. It’s a great university, and I am proud to represent the staff, residential students, online students, and hopefully future student race fans.”
Byron’s success over several series and in different cars prepared him for the next step in his career, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. It was announced last Thursday that he would drive the No. 9 K&N East car for HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks in 2015 with Liberty University serving as the primary sponsor for the entire season.
Byron will also continue to compete regionally for NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Late Model program at JR Motorsports on weekends the K&N Series is not racing. Byron signed with JRM in January 2014 and finished second in points at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway in his first year in a stock car. Byron received the award for the North Carolina NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Rookie of the Year at the annual banquet on Dec. 13 thanks to his successful season with JRM. Liberty University will continue to support the Late Model program in 2015 as well.
“I’m thrilled to become a part of HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks next year and race full time in the K&N East series as well as continue to race with JR Motorsports in Late Models,” said Byron. “To race in the NASCAR K&N Series has been my dream since I began racing. I know that both teams will have the resources we need to be successful. I also look forward to representing Liberty University on a more national level next season racing all over the East Coast. The 2015 season will be awesome with great partners like Liberty, Harry Scott, Justin Marks and Dale Earnhardt Jr.”
Byron began his racing career in the U.S. Legend Series Young Lions Division. In 2013 he had 69 starts, 33 wins, 59 top-five, and 64 top-10 finishes en route to the 2013 Young Lions National Championship. He also won the 2013 Thursday Thunder Young Lions Championship at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Young Lions Division Legends All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
For more information visit www.williambyron.com or www.liberty.edu.
