NASCAR Driver Signs New Deal After Sudden Exit From Kaulig Racing
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Following his abrupt ousting from Kaulig Racing last month, NASCAR Xfinity driver Josh Williams has signed a new deal with Alpha Prime Racing, starting with next weekend's race at the Daytona International Speedway.
Kaulig announced ahead of the race weekend at Iowa Speedway that it was parting ways with Williams with immediate effect. The team plans to collaborate with other drivers over the remainder of the 2025 NASCAR season.
Williams brings an impressive record of 240 Xfinity Series race starts, with a best finish of sixth. Apart from Daytona, the 32-year-old driver will also race at Charlotte Roval, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway.
At Alpha Prime, Optum will be the primary sponsor for his No. 45 Chevrolet and the Josh Williams Hospital Tour (JWHT). Speaking about the deal with his new team, Williams stated:
Josh Williams, driver of the #11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet, Christian Eckes, driver of the #16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, Josh Bilicki, driver of the #91 SBC Contractors Inc Chevrolet, and Ryan Sieg, driver of...
Josh Williams, driver of the #11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet, Christian Eckes, driver of the #16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, Josh Bilicki, driver of the #91 SBC Contractors Inc Chevrolet, and Ryan Sieg, driver of the #39 Sci Aps Ford, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 at Sonoma Raceway on July 12, 2025 in Sonoma, California. More"It's real important for me to have companies that believe in me, my career, and my dedication to the hospital tour. Alloy Employer Services has been behind me for years and having Optum join the program is another reminder that what we're doing matters.
"This has been a trying time for my family, me and my fans, and the support throughout the garage and my partners has been a bright spot. I'm looking forward to representing Optum at races throughout the year as well as on the Josh Williams Hospital Tour."
Speaking of Kaulig, the team's president, Chris Rice, gave an update about the contract of Cup Series driver Ty Dillon, whose current contract expires this year. He is currently 32nd in the points standings.
Dillon joined Kaulig this year as a full-time driver, mostly securing places in the top 20. He has finished once in the top 10, which has likely helped him negotiate with Kaulig for a contract extension.
Rice confirmed that Kaulig was in talks with Dillon to renew his contract for the 2026 NASCAR season, given the "good job" done by him despite the "ups and downs." He told SiriusXM:
"We're still in negotiations. I think by Friday we'll 100% know. We're real close to having Ty's deal done again for 2026.
"We feel like he's done a good job. He's had some ups and downs, yes, but he hasn't done what everyone thought he was gonna do — run around last and be way off the pace. He's actually been in contention at some races."
Rice added that Dillon helped Kaulig improve in several areas. He said:
"Ty has done a really good job for us. The thing that makes us better is we are better as an organization on the Cup side. We run faster; we've had speed. To get in the playoffs is really tough. ... For us to be in the conversation, I think Ty is part of that. He's pushed us to be better in certain areas. I think we'll make him better if he gets one more year in the car."
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