NASCAR suspends Xfinity driver Josh Williams

Xfinity Series driver Josh Williams will miss Saturday’s race at Circuit of the Americas after NASCAR’s decision to suspend him Tuesday. Williams was upset with NASCAR race control’s decision to make him park his car after he caused a caution because of debris that came off it so Williams parked his car at the start/finish line during the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The race was under caution at the time, and Williams waved to the crowd after he got out of his car. He was immediately summoned to the NASCAR hauler to talk with officials.

NASCAR said in its announcement that Williams was suspended for a race because of multiple rules violations. According to one of the rules cited, “A Member’s actions can reflect upon the sport as a whole and on other NASCAR Members. He was cheered wildly by the fans. They loved that he parked his car on the track and walked away, essentially giving the middle finger to NASCAR officials.

NASCAR also cited a rule that Williams compromised the safety of the event and committed an action that NASCAR found to be “detrimental to stock car racing or NASCAR.”

Williams released a statement after the penalty thanking his sponsors for standing by him and his fans for supporting him. He said he stood behind NASCAR’s decision.