After seven seasons of competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Josh Williams will get the opportunity to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut, driving for Live Fast Motorsports in the second annual Food City Dirt Race at Bristol.
Williams, 28, currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for BJ McLeod Motorsports, driving the No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro. Through the first eight races of the season, the Port Charlotte, Florida-native has a season-best result of 21st.
“Racing on Sundays is every driver’s dream right? I have been racing since I was four years old, never had a nine-to-five job, just worked every day of my life in racing to get to this point and get here the hard way,” Williams said in a team release. “I didn’t have the open checkbook some people have, I didn’t have a family member who was a NASCAR hero at some point. All I had was the mindset I wasn’t going to stop until I made it to the Cup Series. I owe a lot of people credit for the support and knowledge they provided me to get to this point. I’m ready to start this path to full-time on Sundays.”
Sponsorship for Williams’ NASCAR Cup Series debut will come from long-time partners Ally Employer Services, Star Brite, and Star Tron, who also sponsor the 28-year-old in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Won't be this clean for long ?@Josh6williams l @teamlivefast l @raceartist #TRcciRL #NASCAR #BristolDirt pic.twitter.com/9N8dMyXmN5
— THE RAPACCI Racing Liveries™ (@trccirl) April 12, 2022
“Wow, having our brand on the hood of a NASCAR Cup Series car, being driven by our long-time partner Josh Williams is a dream come true, said Gregor Bornau, Executive Vice President of Star Brite / Star Tron. “Our two teams have spent five-plus years preparing for this and can’t wait to see it happen. Congratulations to Josh and the team, we are very proud and excited to take it to the next step.”
“After years of hard work and incredible racing, we are excited to see Josh competing in his first Cup Series race,” said Vice President of Marketing at Alloy Employer Services, Chris Estey. “Having this race at Bristol and on dirt is amazing. This will be pure racing on a wild and short track where anything can happen! We are so pleased by how our partnership with Josh has brought us to the Cup Series. Sunday cannot come fast enough for any of us at Alloy.”
Through the first eight NASCAR Cup Series events of 2022, Live Fast Motorsports has recorded four top-30 finishes, including a season-best result of 19th at Atlanta Motor Speedway’s new configuration.
McLeod, a co-owner of both Live Fast Motorsports and BJ McLeod Motorsports, has been the primary driver of the No. 78 Ford Mustang to date, but takes pride in seeing his Xfinity Series program cultivating new talent and fostering them into the Cup Series.
“One of my favorite personal involvements within the sport of NASCAR is being a driver development coach,” said McLeod. “This is one of the most rewarding hats to wear because of the hard work and dedication you witness as these determined drivers push themselves to the limits.”
“Josh Williams is a driver that has consistently displayed talent, control, and drive. I’ve witnessed those qualities in previous seasons and this year as he has been a full-time driver on my Xfinity Series team. His proficiency behind the wheel has not gone unnoticed. Live Fast Motorsports is excited to welcome him at the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol for his Cup Series debut.”
The 2022 Food City Dirt Race will take place on Sunday, April 18, at Bristol Motor Speedway. Broadcast coverage of the ninth race of the NASCAR Cup Series season will happen on FOX.
