After a dramatic week in the Cup Series after the Phoenix race, the drama moved to Atlanta and the Xfinity Series this past week when driver of the number 92 Chevrolet Josh Williams was told by NASCAR to park his car and Williams parked the car at the start/finish line and walked to the pits.

NASCAR’s head of competition Elton Sawyer noted that Williams actions forced them to react.

And react NASCAR did by suspending the driver for one race.  Williams will not be in the number 92 car for the race at Circuit of the Americas this weekend.  NASCAR cited a violation of Sections 4.3.A, 4.4.B and D, and 8.7.6 from the Member Code of Conduct and for violation of In-race Violations – disobeying a NASCAR request as the reason for the penalty.

Williams had been involved in a crash that resulted in some significant damage to his car.  Crews attempted to make repairs with the bare bond – sometimes called the 200 mile an hour tape.  But the tape did not stick in the cold Atlanta air (it was in the 40’s for the race) and came off.  NASCAR told Williams to take his car to the garage for extending a caution by leaving debris on the track.

In response to the penalty Josh Williams said, “thank you to all the fans for sticking by my side and shwing love.  I stand behind what I did and I don’t regret any decisions I made.  I stand behind NASCAR for these decisions and will continue and always continue to support them.  I am not going anywhere any time soon.  I hope the loyal fans of NASCAR continue to fill the infields and grandstands.”

NASCAR also responded to the incident and subsequent fine via Elton Sawyer who said, “you can get called out on a strike three in the bottom of the ninth and you may not agree with the call. That’s totally fine. There’s a way to handle that.  Come to the trailer, after the race, talk to the Series Director, voice your displeasure. That’s totally fine.  There’s also a way, not to handle it. We’ll continue to have dialog internally on the next steps. But, those actions will put us in a position that we will have to react.”

Sawyer added, “You put the league in a spot where they would have to react.”

Last week, Joe Gibbs Racing driver of the number eleven car Denny Hamlin received a penalty for admitting that he wrecked a fellow driver on purpose.  He has appealed that penalty; however, he is supporting Josh Williams and has offered to pay any fine NASCAR may assess Williams saying, “I have some sympathy for someone like Josh who is trying to make it in this sport. I’m hearing more and more about his story, about how good of a race car driver he actually is, in late models and what-not.  I want to help when I can. Just thought this was an interesting situation.  I heard him say, ‘I can’t afford to pay it.’ Well, I’d love to see you at the next race buddy.  I’ve had direct messages with him. I just said, ‘Pending any outcomes, I meant what I said. I’ll take care of it.’ “



In other penalties, the number 33 truck driven by Mason Massey received three suspensions to crew chief Gregory Rayl, Matthew Crossman, and Travis Armstrong for the next three races for violation of Sections 14.3.4B, 14.17.2.1D, and 10.5.2.6.F when ballast from the truck ended up on the track.

Owner driver Cory Roper has been reinstated and is eligible to return to all NASCAR activities.   However, Deandre Smith has been suspended indefinitely for violations of the NASCAR rule book Sections 4.1 and 10.1.A.