On August 20, 2017, Hendrick Motorsports announced that William Byron would take over the No. 5 in 2018, with Darian Grubb as crew chief. Twenty days later, the team announced a number change from No. 5 to No. 24 in 2018, with Chase Elliott's team renumbered from No. 24 to No. 9. Kahne was locked into the Chase field in 2017 with his Brickyard 400 victory but was eliminated after the first round and finishing 15th in the final point standings.