
via Imago
L: Chase Elliott, C: Josh Williams, R: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Image Credits: Imago.

via Imago
L: Chase Elliott, C: Josh Williams, R: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Image Credits: Imago.
The recent Josh Williams incident at the Atlanta Motor Speedway has resulted in the Xfinity driver facing NASCAR’s ire. During the race, he was asked to park the car. Unhappy with the decision, instead of parking it at the designated area, the Xfinity driver decided to leave his car at the start-finish line and walk back to the pit road. However, he was penalized by NASCAR for his irresponsible actions and suspended for one race.
Before the ban was announced, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr had commented on the Josh Williams incident. When asked if banning the 29-year-old for a week would be the right thing to do, Dale Jr had said, “I feel that’s probably likely and a fair penalty for something like that.” Now, Chase Elliott‘s spotter also has a few stern comments about Williams’ behavior and how he apparently got off easy.
As per a Twitter post by Eddie D’Hondt, he mentioned, “For J. Williams to purposely park his car @ S/F line & leave it..thus delaying the race for an extended period, is wrong on so many levels.@nascar-even when we don’t agree w them, is to be respected at all times.”
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For J. Williams to purposely park his car @ S/F line & leave it..thus delaying the race for an extended period, 👉is wrong on so many levels. @nascar -even when we don’t agree w them, is to be respected at all times. The inmates don’t run the asylum. He got off easy. Unfollow me.
— TheEddieD’ (@TheEddieDHondt) March 22, 2023
He concluded by saying, “The inmates don’t run the asylum. He got off easy. Unfollow me.“
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NASCAR suspends Josh Williams for one race
Following his actions, NASCAR decided to punish the driver with a one-race suspension. However, no other penalty was levied on the driver. NASCAR argued that his action to stop the car at the start-finish straight at Atlanta during the Xfinity Series race was a direct disobey of orders and safety protocols.

via Imago
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 18: Josh Williams 92 DGM Racing Coolray/Alloy Employer Chevrolet waves to the crowd after leaving his car on the front stretch during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity Series RAPTOR King of Tough 250 on March 18, 2023, at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, GA.Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 18 NASCAR Xfinity Series RAPTOR King of Tough 250 Icon230318483
Williams did not file any appeal regarding this decision, instead, he gracefully accepted the punishment. He even went on to mention that he did not have any regret about his decision on track.
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While his action was truly not a result of lucid thinking, he did put a point across the board, albeit at the cost of disruption of a race. Sure Williams was frustrated on being asked to park the car, but his actions are still unjustified for a NASCAR driver.
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