HAMPTON, Ga.: Josh Williams returned to the “scene of the crime” at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday.
Last year, Xfinity Series officials ejected the No. 92 DGM Chevrolet from the Raptor King of Tough 250 after Bear Bond repair tape—applied to the car following a subsequent crash—fell off and onto the frontstretch at the 1.5-mile track.
NASCAR told Williams to park his car. He obeyed the sanctioning body’s directive. He “parked it” at the start-finish line in protest. Williams then climbed from his Chevy, waved to the crowd and proceeded to stroll across the infield grass to the DGM pit box.
“We definitely called it ‘the scene of the crime,’” Williams said with a chuckle. “Last year, just circumstances with NASCAR giving us a penalty and me making the decision to get out of my car on the front stretch, it was just a spur-of-the-moment deal.”
Over the previous six seasons, Williams had worked to make a home for himself in the Xfinity Series. Prior to that, the Port Charlotte, Fla., native enjoyed a successful run on the ARCA Menard’s tour in his family-owned team.
Their budget was so tight that when Williams won at Madison International Speedway on Father’s Day in 2016, his parents weren’t there to enjoy the moment. Money was better spent on tires than tickets to the track for the team owners.
When NASCAR elected to park Williams in the Xfinity race seven years later, he found the penalty over the top.
“It’s just me being old school,” Williams said. “Trying to stick up for myself and voice my opinion. And I felt like that was the best way I could do it.”
Williams felt he had no recourse. At the time, he said, “What are they going to do? Fine me? I can’t afford to pay it.”
NASCAR suspended Williams for one race at Circuit of the Americas. Denny Hamlin and several of Williams’ sponsors offered to pay the fine. When he returned with his Mario Gosselin-owned team the following week at Richmond—Williams’ popularity had mushroomed.
“In some ways, it worked out good for me,” Williams said. “Just fan recognition, exposure and trying to get my name out there a little bit.
“I wanted to give people an understanding of who I am as a person—not just as a driver.”
Williams certainly caught the attention of NASCAR team owner Matt Kaulig. In 2024, he is competing under the Kaulig Racing banner.
“We had some conversations before, just trying to get to know what we needed to do to be a part of this program,” Williams said. After Atlanta, that kind of sped up the process quite a bit.”
In addition to a full-time Xfinity schedule behind the wheel of the No. 11 Chevy, the 30-year-old racer will run a few events in the No. 16 Kaulig Cup entry.
Williams barely missed the field for the Busch Light Clash at the L.A. Coliseum. The No. 16 Alloy Employment Services Chevy was bumped when Cup champion Ryan Blaney used his provisional to claim the final starting spot. Williams’ second Cup start for Kaulig will come this weekend at AMS.
After being scored 32nd in the Xfinity race last spring, Williams finished ninth when the tour returned to Atlanta in July in the underfunded No. 92 car. On Friday, he qualified 16th.
During time trials for the Raptor King of Tough 250, the fans filed in to visit the driver. Williams was flanked by Jeffrey Earnhardt and Hailie Deegan, along with their cars and teams, but his supporters remained constant.
“We gained a lot of fans,” Williams said. “The biggest thing is the fans… I think they can just relate to me. When a fan talks to me, it’s like, ‘Man, you’re just a normal guy like everybody else.’
“Yeah, that’s what we all are. Some people just don’t act that way. I think they appreciate that. And we’re still gaining fans and followers. People are really excited about this year.”
As is Williams. While this isn’t his Cup debut, he made three starts with B.J. McLeod in 2022, Kaulig’s equipment is an upgrade.
“It’s super fun,” Williams said. “It’s amazing the difference between teams,” Williams said. “It’s crazy. I’m still getting used to it, but it’s a great group of people. They treat me really well. They treat my family well. It’s super fun. I’m looking forward to it.
“Atlanta is going to be pretty wild. I think in the Cup car with no practice. I’ll probably have to learn the first half of the race, but luckily, it’s a super long race.”
Despite earning the best opportunity of his career this season, he hasn’t backed away from his other passion—the Josh Williams Hospital Tour—now in its 10th year.
Prior to track activities on Friday, Williams visited Atlanta Children’s Clinical Center.
“It makes you appreciate every day you get up and get to live, live a good normal life,” Williams said. “I enjoy it. I think we’re over 120 something hospitals so far and it’s growing.”
Williams was named a Comcast Community Champion of the Year finalist in 2023 for his philanthropic endeavors.
“We don’t do it for clicks or views,” he added. “I do it because I enjoy it. The first time I went, I left and was crying. I knew we had to keep doing this because it means a lot to the kids. It means a lot to me, too.”
Follow Lee Spencer on Twitter @CandiceSpencer or email her at: [email protected].
