“I can’t catch my breath.” These distressing words came from Josh Williams over the radio on Saturday. The No. 11 Kaulig Racing driver kicked off the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season on a decent note. He accrued top-20 finishes across Daytona, Atlanta, COTA, and Phoenix. However, he started suffering from a respiratory illness from the COTA race onward, and things became too serious in Las Vegas. However, Richard Childress’ grandson – Ty Dillon – was there for the rescue.

Ty Dillon takes the wheel at an emergency

Josh Williams has been looking to improve his 2024 season and has done a fabulous job so far. His average finish is 18.2 – already better than that of his 2024 season (21.67). What is even more jaw-dropping is that he powered through COTA and Phoenix despite his building ailment. Williams struggled with breathing issues, which were amplified inside the race car after he buckled his seatbelt tightly. During stage 1 of The LiUNA! race at Sin City, Williams complained of not being able to breathe. By the end of that stage, Williams gave in: “I’m not gonna be able to do it.”

Under the caution during the stage break, Josh Williams exited the No. 11, and Ty Dillon took his place. Richard Childress’ grandson was contacted by the pit crew shortly before when Williams’ condition worsened. Dillon said that his teammate direly needed that replacement: “Yeah, there was a potential for it… And I know Josh [Williams] wanted to battle and be a warrior there. I think he’s just too sick. So, hopefully, he gets better. But I knew there was potential for it, and then I got a text, ‘Got to get to the pit box pretty quick.'”

Ty Dillon, who owns one top-ten finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, tried his best to wheel the No. 11 car to a respectable finish. The car lost a bunch of laps during the driver swap, and Dillon entered the race in 37th place. The seat hardly fit Dillon, whose physical structure is bulkier than Williams’. Despite these hurdles, Dillon could move up 8 spots over the course of the race and finished 29th. Dillon said he wished he could do better: “I hate I couldn’t make more out of it, but it was a tough seat to fit in — pretty, pretty tight. But I’m glad I was able to step in and finish it out for these guys, and I know anybody else would do the same thing for me too.”

Ty Dillon has subbed for three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart as well. Back in 2016, Stewart fractured his L1 vertebra and underwent surgery for it. So, Dillon was tapped to wheel his No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway. Dillon compared the Las Vegas finish to that event, where he could bring the car to a 6th-place finish. “But I finished sixth in the other one when he did that, so [this race] wasn’t as good.”

Nevertheless, Josh Williams was grateful as he opted to witness his relief driver’s efforts. This was despite his concerning health situation which Williams opened up about.

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Williams bravely faced his distress

Well, we already witnessed how Josh Williams fended off his illness. After giving in during the Las Vegas race, he apologized to his Kaulig Racing team. “Thank you, guys. I’m sorry. I just can’t do you a good job today,” he said. Yet that was hardly the end of Williams’ exemplary bravery. Instead of going to the infield care center, he opted to watch the race until the conclusion of Stage 2 from atop the No. 11’s pit box. That showed his dedication to his team and was a silent sign of gratitude for Ty Dillon, who raced in his stead.

Nonetheless, Josh Williams’ health issue was concerning. According to doctors, he had fluid in his lungs as part of the illness, creating the complications he faced in the car Saturday. Williams conceded this was a unique situation: “I’ve never felt like this my entire life. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever felt before. It’s like you’re almost drowning. I mean, I’ve taken medicine. I’m doing what I need to do. But they said it could take a while, so I wish it would hurry up.” The severity of the situation led him to thank Ty Dillon and his team again: “Thanks to Ty for jumping in for me and everybody at Kaulig being supportive about it. I’d rather race all the races instead of trying to make it through one and not make it.”

Evidently, this show of solidarity with Josh Williams was a noble deed for Ty Dillon. Here is to wishing Williams a swift and proper recovery, as we are looking forward to having him back on the racetrack soon!