CONCORD, N.C. – William Byron recently stopped by “The Dale Jr. Download” to chat with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the latest edition of the weekly podcast, which is now available.
Before the conversation began, Earnhardt provided an update thanking his fans for the outpouring of support over the last week.
“I just wanted to let everybody know that we’re so thankful for all the prayers and phone calls and everything everybody did over the last several days has really helped lift us up,” he said. “We just really appreciate all the support. It’s just meant a lot to us. And I want you to know that.”
With that, the podcast returned to the previously recorded interview with Byron.
In the wide-ranging discussion, Byron and Earnhardt talked everything from the driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1’s “Days of Thunder” Hendrick Autoguard/City Chevrolet throwback ride to his first-ever race car, his early days in racing and how his relationship with crew chief Chad Knaus has grown.
“We have a really open relationship at the track,” the driver said of his crew chief. “We talk about anything, everything. I think you’ve just got to learn to handle things one-on-one first and then open it up to the rest of the team. So, it’s been good.”
Byron shared his love of outdoor sports like snowboarding and wake surfing, which is one of his favorite off-day activities. Of course, much of his time off is also taken up by schoolwork, as he’s a student at Liberty University through their online program.
He discussed the ins and outs of finishing up school while he’s a professional driver – he’s currently taking an economics class – and whether his attention has turned toward the playoffs at all with two races remaining in the regular season.
Earnhardt provided the young driver some advice on handling the pressure of the playoffs, and Byron said he has found comfort in knowing each member of the No. 24 team is behind him every week.
“That’s all I really need, I feel like,” he said. “That’s kind of where the confidence comes from is just knowing those guys come back in the shop on Tuesday and they’ve got my back. So, that’s pretty cool.”
Check out the full conversation in the latest episode of the “The Dale Jr. Download” here. It will also air tonight on NBCSN at 5 p.m. ET.