HAMPTON, Georgia — Josh Williams parked his car at the start/finish line and walked away from the vehicle after being ordered off the track by series officials during Saturday’s Xfinity Series race.
Series officials met with Williams for about 20 minutes after Saturday night’s Xfinity race.
All of NASCAR’s penalties are expected to be announced Tuesday.
Williams’ car was damaged in a three-car crash that prompted caution on lap 28. Williams’ team taped the damage but debris from the car brought out the caution on lap 32. NASCAR ordered Williams into the garage and out of the race.
Section 8.8.9.I of the Xfinity Series rulebook states that NASCAR can order a car off the track with the damaged vehicle policy.
“If a damaged car chooses not to enter the pit lane at the first opportunity, or if a damaged car exits the pit lane before adequate repairs have been made and thereafter triggers or prolongs a warning (e.g. debris, etc.) this can Vehicle will be given a lap or time penalty or will not be allowed to return to the race.”
Williams admitted he was frustrated and confused by NASCAR’s decision to go to the garage and decided to park the car in the front straight.
“We all work very hard and to only do ‘X’ laps and then have something like a piece of Bear Bond and throw ourselves out of the race is really frustrating,” Williams said after his meeting with series officials. “Small team. We work really hard. We have to make our sponsors happy, right? There’s no use standing in the garage. It is what it is. We will learn from it and move on.”
Commenting on his wave towards the crowd after exiting the car, Williams said: “Just (waving) some of the officers in the flag stand. We’re all good friends with everyone. I waved to them. They waved back. The fans kind of supported that and that was kind of cool. Hopefully they get some enjoyment out of it.”
Williams had to stay in the NASCAR van after reporting there during the race and wait for officers to return from the control tower to meet.
“I told them I was a little frustrated,” Williams said of NASCAR’s call, “but it was in the rule book.”
Asked if he was frustrated that NASCAR didn’t penalize in other ways that would have allowed him to race, Williams said after the meeting, “It’s up to them. It’s their sandbox and we play in it and I enjoy the Xfinity series. I have respect for (Managing Series Director) Wayne (Auton) and everyone else so let’s just move on and move on to the next one.”
When asked if he was worried about a possible suspension for his actions, Williams said, “I’m not sure. It’s up to Wayne and everyone at NASCAR. If that is the norm and they choose to do so, every action has a reaction.”
Williams said that early in his racing career he had a similar episode at a short track and stopped his car on the front straight under the flag stand.
“There wasn’t one person in their seats,” Williams said. “I didn’t do it (Saturday) to be spiteful or to make a big scene … I wanted to voice my opinion that I felt[the decision]wasn’t right, but it’s in the rule book.”
Josh Williams on what he was thinking when he parked his car on the track, who he waved to when he got out and what he shared #NASCAR in his post-race meeting. pic.twitter.com/bMcuOwnxdB
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) March 19, 2023
‘@Josh6williams was asked to park his car over #NASCAR.
He did… but at the start/finish line. pic.twitter.com/F8OWWGWctJ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 18, 2023
Josh Williams’ car next to it #NASCAR Xfinity series dumper in the garage. Williams was ordered to the trucking company after parking his car at the start/finish line and walking away from the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/FV3I6xlLUP
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) March 18, 2023
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