William Byron can take the heat

VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 14: William Byron (24) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 racing during qualifying for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Playoff Series race on September 14, 2019, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

William Byron, 21, is the youngest driver on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series grid each week. But youth alone won’t help with the 100-plus temperatures expected in Las Vegas this weekend for the race. The driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet said Saturday that he regularly trains in such extreme conditions. Additionally, Byron pointed out, the season is two-thirds complete, so he’s optimistic that he will be better prepared for the temperature variables.

“It’s gonna be super hot, roasting in the car and by the time the sun goes down it’ll be roasting,’’ Byron said of the anticipated Vegas conditions.

“But, it’s a lot tougher when we have a race in the spring and it’s hot because your body isn’t prepared for it.

“I train at this gym in Charlotte that has no AC, it’s all outside air. The other day it was 96 degrees and that’s all part of trying to become an athlete and doing the best I can. Sometimes it’s really hard because my trainer is really tough on me, but especially a race like this, I don’t worry about being ready for it, just have to drink and eat the right things.’’

Greg Engle