via Getty
BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 06: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 6, 2019 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
via Getty
BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 06: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 6, 2019 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
On Friday, news broke that NFL running back Antonio Williams will link up with Joe Graf Jr in the role of an investor. The Buffalo Bills player entered the NASCAR arena through his late grandfather’s influence. Soon, everything culminated with the association with Graf Jr and the SS-Green Light Racing team.
In light of the announcement, Bubba Wallace and Jimmie Johnson praised Williams’ involvement in the sport.
In the buildup to the 2021 Xfinity season, the North Carolina native joined the SS-Green Light Racing team as an investor. It is also worth mentioning that the 22-year-old driver is well into his second full-time season with the outfit. In fact, he has put in some good performances, with an 11th place finish at Daytona.
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Safe to say, Antonio Williams is only too happy to throw in his lot with the team.
This is dope. Glad to have you in this sport bro @A_B_Williams26 https://t.co/Mar9mbLgWh
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 26, 2021
Why did Antonio Williams get involved in the NASCAR scene?
Speaking about his grandfather’s NASCAR connection, Williams had a lot to say. He said, “His love for NASCAR, me growing up with him watching it continued to flash over and over in my head. With the platform I have from the NFL, I knew I had a shot of getting something done I probably couldn’t have done before.
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“I wanted to continue his push and love for NASCAR by finding a way to join the sport, and that led to this connection with Joe. That’s what started all this — the continuation of my grandfather’s legacy, the start of a great friendship and partnership and the growth of hunger to get back in Buffalo and get on the field.”
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 21, 2021; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) during the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
It is safe to say that the running back will remain on the NASCAR scene for the foreseeable future. However, there is a question about how much he will be involved in the motor racing gig, especially since he is only 23-years old and has a budding NFL career.
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Safe to say, he needs to find a way to juggle his professional life and his business life.
