Josh Williams was told to go to the garage in the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway; Instead, he parked his car on the frontstretch and let NASCAR haul it to the garage
Denny Hamlin was recently fined $50,000 by NASCAR. However, Hamlin has offered to pay more fines…
NASCAR issues $550,000 in fines after Phoenix Raceway
On Saturday, the NASCAR Xfinity Series raced at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Josh Williams, driver of the No. 92 car was involved in an early incident in stage one of the event.
William went to the pit lane for repairs. With a hole in the right front fender, the team elected to essentially duct tape that area.
Naturally, that tape blew off the car, under the caution laps. NASCAR was forced to deploy safety vehicles to pick up the debris that blew off the car.
Moments later, NASCAR relayed a penalty to the team over the radio. They elected to park the driver of the No. 92 for extending the caution. He was told to pull to the garage and park it for the day.
Williams parked it, on the front straightaway.
He climbed from the machine, pointed to the tower then waved to the crowd. He walked across the infield grass to the garage area and let NASCAR move his car to the garage.
NASCAR driver parks on Atlanta frontstretch in protest (Video)
As Williams climbed over the pit wall, he was met with the AMR Safety team as well as NASCAR officials. They were clearly telling him to go to the infield care center, per protocal for any driver involved in an incident where he’s unable to drive the car back (typically, that’s a crash).
“I’ll meet you over there. So, just hangout over there somewhere,” Williams told a member of the AMR safety team who was likely telling him to go to the infield care center.
Williams added, “I don’t care. What’s he going to do? Fine me? I can’t afford to pay it.”
How will NASCAR react to this? That’s unclear but a penalty of some kind is likely.
Denny Hamlin changes his mind; Will appeal NASCAR penalty
Denny Hamlin is here to pay the fine
Williams is an unfunded driver in the NASCAR ladder. But, Denny Hamlin has stepped up to pay a possible fine that’s likely on the way.
Denny Hamlin tweeted, “I’ll pay your fine.”
Josh Williams responded, “Thanks man….. I’m free if ya need a new podcast guest.”
David Ragan also commented, “Let me know where I can send in a contribution to the fund!!”
Josh Williams comments after stopping on NASCAR track in protest
Atlanta Race Results: March 18, 2023 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
Links
Denny Hamlin | Josh Williams | Atlanta Motor Speedway | NASCAR
