NASCAR Driver Forced to Battle a Scary Disease Despite Help From Richard Childress’ Grandson, Leaving Fans Concerned

The Circuit of the Americas is probably cursed for Kaulig Racing driver, Josh Williams. If NASCAR for some reason decided not to renew their partnership with the Austin-based track, Williams would be the happiest man on the planet. Call it bad luck or hoodoo COTA hasn’t favored the driver, in 2021 and 2022 he failed to qualify for the race. In 2023, he served a suspension after his theatrics of parking his car on the racetrack at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This was the event that helped him rise to fame and get noticed by teams, ultimately he landed on his feet at Kaulig Racing in 2024.

He missed the practice and qualifying sessions last year when his wife was giving birth to their daughter. William returned to the track just in time but the COTA curse played its trick on the driver as mechanical problems on his No. 11 Chevy saw him finish dead last. Well, 2025 was a different story but with the same outcome, he did finish the race with a top 15 finish but he fell really sick after the race.

“I’ve been sick since COTA. It was just super hard to breathe in the car, so I couldn’t ever catch my breath, and it just wasn’t safe to stay out there.” Williams said this to NASCAR. At Phoenix, he couldn’t complete the entire race as he was substituted by Ty Dillon on Lap 46 after the conclusion of Stage 1. Doctors had said that Williams had fluid in his lungs as a part of his illness, but the driver was eager to get back on track. “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.”

Later the team found out that the driver of the No. 11 car was battling Pneumonia. But despite his discomfort and struggles last weekend, Williams is expected to start the race at Miami Homestead Speedway. Ty Dillon will substitute him for the practice and qualifying run. Kaulig Racing put out a statement, “Josh Williams will remain out of the No. 11 Chevrolet during NASCAR Xfinity Series practice and qualifying due to his continued struggles with pneumonia. Ty Dillon will fill in.”

It seems as if the team and the driver are aiming to not miss out on the points. This strategy worked last weekend, and they are looking to mitigate the damage or the loss of points with this plan. It will be interesting to see how Josh Williams will be able to last in the Xfinity Series race. But as this news got out, the NASCAR community was concerned about the driver’s well-being.

Fans argue why can’t Kaulig Racing appeal to get a waiver for Josh Williams

Josh Williams is a driver forged in grit, the kind who turned a defiant car-parking stunt at Atlanta in 2023 into a Kaulig Racing seat by 2024, winning fans with his never-say-die spirit. That’s why they’re in an uproar now as pneumonia threatens to sink his 2025 season, and Kaulig won’t budge on a waiver. “Why even start the race? Health is more important. Take the waiver,” one fan demands, their concern palpable. It’s been chaos since COTA on March 1, where he battled to a 15th his best result there only to be hit with lung-fluid pneumonia. At Phoenix on March 8, he lasted 46 laps before Ty Dillon stepped in, limping to 29th. So is it worth putting a driver’s health at risk for some points?

“He needs a waiver? Short of a plate race, I wasn’t really betting on him making the playoffs,” another fan quips and the stats paint a grim picture. Now we all know that NASCAR has changed its waiver policy taking itself out of the situation and putting the onus on the drivers and team. But, medical and family emergencies are valid reasons for a driver to get a playoff. It is hard to see Williams make it to the playoffs, and fighting for points against an illness isn’t the best formula for success. 

“Speculation here, but he’s probably going to be struggling for the next few weeks trying to get his strength back for a full race,” a fan predicts, and it’s grounded in reality. Doctors hinted at a long recovery and his drop from Vegas’ 200 laps to Phoenix’s 46 screams fatigue. Homestead’s 267 laps could be taxing for Williams, and he seems to be willing to take the risk despite the caution. 

“Had it a couple times. Worst one took me a solid 2–3 months to get back to full strength. I couldn’t imagine trying to drive an Xfinity car while dealing with that, best wishes to Josh,” another fan confesses, their empathy raw from experience. Although the cure to this illness can take about two weeks time, the lingering effects can last up to months. Not to forget, Williams will have to battle the heat and the banking at Homestead at approximately 180 mph.

Meanwhile, this user called out NASCAR for allowing a team to field a driver who is seemingly unfit to race. “I mean more so I don’t believe you should be allowed to start if you are unable to practice or qualify outside of car issues.” It’s weird how teams can just bend the rules, we haven’t seen an F1 driver practice and qualify for the star driver as he comes to take the wheel during the main event. There was a lot of uproar about Katherine Legge’s involvement at Phoenix, perhaps NASCAR should also take a look at such cases.

What are your thoughts on Kaulig Racing’s decision to rely on Ty Dillon for the practice and qualifying run? And should there be a set protocol for drivers to participate in pre-race events like practice and qualifying?