The NASCAR Xfinity Series was shaken up by quite an unconventional incident last year. The Raptor King of Tough 250 ensued in March at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but not without some riveting drama. Josh Williams parked his car mid-track, right at the finish lines. He managed to wow fans and fellow racers but got on the nerves of NASCAR officials, which was precisely his intention.

Almost a year after the theatrical incident, Williams is heading back to Atlanta with spotless confidence. He garnered a lot of attention with his defiant move and ended up signing a full-time Xfinity partnership with Kaulig Racing. He aims to thunder into Atlanta wearing the personality he knows best: his own.

Josh Williams facing Atlanta with his head held high, like last year

Usually, NASCAR drivers are chained by official obligations. Oftentimes a driver’s individuality is stifled, for fear of big sponsors disapproving or team owners not taking them seriously. But once in a while, a driver breaks this matrix and takes the center stage of attention. Josh Williams’ rebellious attitude worked out well in the end.

At the Raptor 250 race last year, Williams fell prey to a wreck. His car was in shambles, and his team tried to put bear bond (strong adhesive repair tape) on it. But the cold weather worked against them, and NASCAR barred Josh Williams from the rest of the race. Visibly irked, the Xfinity driver parked his car on the front stretch and defiantly strolled to the DGM Racing pit stall.

In response to a Fox reporter, he said, “What are they going to do, fine me? I can’t afford to pay it.”

NASCAR slapped a week’s suspension on him, but Williams’ action dazzled the racing community. At the end of the year, Kaulig Racing invited him into their fold, enrolling him for a few Cup races as well. Previously he had sun three Cup races in 2022.

“Getting another opportunity in the Cup Series is humbling, especially with a team like Kaulig Racing,” Williams said in a release.

Now Josh Williams is facing the Atlanta weekend with no remorse. He will have two opportunities to win in Kaulig’s cars. “I’ll have a chance to win the race, and I think that means a lot to go back to the crime scene — that’s what we’ve been calling it — with an opportunity to put up a good finish and to run up front is gonna be huge for everybody,” Williams said. “The fans are gonna enjoy it, we’re gonna enjoy it, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

Williams has raked up a solid popularity base not just due to the Raptor incident, but also because of his philanthropic efforts.

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Williams welcomed with open arms by the racing community

Josh Williams’ supporters in the Atlanta incident involved another rebel of NASCAR: Denny Hamlin. Hamlin wanted Josh to take part in an ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast. But the rival ‘Door Bumper Clear’ had already booked him. Williams’ Instagram and Twitter following also shot up following the incident. But it was far from just a popularity stunt.

The social work that Williams actively does enthralls people. He visited over 150 hospitals and supported countless children during the pandemic. He keeps visiting children’s hospitals before any race. Last year, he was nominated for Comcast Community Champion of the Year.

Read More: Kaulig Racing Star Unfurls Humble Xfinity Hopes After Massive Career Opportunity

With 11 top-10s in his Xfinity career, Williams has proven his worth on the racetrack. He often outran teams with far more resources and far better equipment in many races. This year he hopes to capitalize on his talent and upbeat attitude to ace some races in Kaulig’s No. 16 car.