CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday night in Tennessee.

• Charlotte native William Byron could be heading to the playoffs
• He is the top rookie in NASCAR's premiere series with three top tens
• The green flag scheduled to drop at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

If Charlotte native William Byron wants to be a part of the playoffs, he'll have to take the checkered flag this weekend, or in the final two races of the regular season.

The driver of number 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports is the top rookie in NASCAR's premiere series with three top tens, but is 21st in points; so he needs a win to punch his ticket to the postseason.

"I think as the year goes on we've been able to grow and use and apply some things that are helping us succeed," said Byron Tuesday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza.

As fun as Bristol is for the fans, Byron added the drivers like it too.

"Bristol's a lot of fun. It's really enjoyable as a driver.  It's challenging because it's 500 laps and that's really demanding on yourself and your race car and everything like that."

The green flag scheduled to drop at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday night at 7:30.