Young Stars Shine Under Bright Lights

The East will take on the West Friday under the lights at Iowa Speedway, with two of NASCAR K&N Series’ top contenders on one track in the second and final combination race of the season.

Both 17-year-old NASCAR Next drivers coming off big wins in their respective series, as the East’s William Byron and West’s James Bickford lead a strong continent of young talent in a race to victory in the Thanks Kenny 150 – a tribute to Kenny Wallace who makes his record 547th and final NASCAR XFINITY Series start Saturday in Iowa.

Prior Iowa pole-sitter Byron feels confident coming out of his latest win in New Hampshire – his fourth in just eight season starts.

“I feel really good about Iowa,” said the 17-year-old leading contender for Sunoco Rookie of the Year. “Our team is just excited to get out there and have another shot at the win.”

Byron isn’t the only one feeling poised for victory in this Friday’s combo event, as Bickford takes the track following his second consecutive win at Idaho’s Stateline Speedway. In a powerful career performance, Bickford led 151 of 157 laps for the victory – his second K&N West win in his 21st start.

“Not only do we have the momentum from Stateline Speedway, but we’re really confident in our car,” said Bickford. “It’s a win-only situation for us, and we’re going to do everything we can to come home with a victory. Our strategy is on winning the West, but we want to go out and get the win overall.”

The two are among eight NASCAR Next drivers who will be racing Friday at Iowa. Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race will include NASCAR Next driver Dylan Lupton, as well as alum Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Ben Rhodes, Daniel Suarez and Darrell Wallace Jr.

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With a needle-like focus on qualifying, Bickford said track position is key in a race like Iowa.

“It’s the hardest race of the year to win,” said the 2014 K&N Pro Series West Rookie of the Year. “The competition overall is going to be crazy. Everyone’s been working hard, but so have we. And if we qualify like we did before, we have a really good shot at the overall win.”

Bickford said to expect a stronger performance out of the West than compared to the season’s first faceoff in May. But the competition comes from both directions, as Byron continues to defy odds in an impressive K&N Pro Series East rookie season – a streak he attributes to more than just beginner’s luck.

“Everything’s new to the team – it’s my first year in the series and its Kevin’s first year as crew chief,” he said. “We’ve both tried new things and it’s been working for us. We’re not afraid to try something different and I think that will make us better.”

TUNE-IN: NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST/WEST
Race:  Thanks Kenny 150 at Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Date:  Friday, July 31, 8 p.m. CT
Telecast:  Aug. 6, 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN