NASCAR's Kaulig Racing Parts Ways With Josh Williams, Iowa Replacement Confirmed
NASCAR Xfinity Series team Kaulig Racing has parted ways with driver Josh Williams, effective immediately, ahead of the race weekend at Iowa Speedway.
The team stated that it will collaborate with various drivers over the remainder of the NASCAR season to pilot the No. 11 Chevrolet. Williams was ranked 19th in the Xfinity Series standings thus far.
Williams joined Kaulig last year from DGM Racing, but his performance could be a reason for his team to part ways with him. In 2024, he finished in the top ten in only six of the 54 race starts, finishing 18th in the standings. Announcing the big decision on X, Kaulig stated:
Josh Williams, driver of the #11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway on June 21, 2025 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania....
Josh Williams, driver of the #11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway on June 21, 2025 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. More"Kaulig Racing announced that it has parted ways with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, Josh Williams, effective today.
"Kaulig Racing will field the No. 11 Chevrolet with multiple drivers over the remaining 12 NASCAR Xfinity Series races. More announcements regarding the driver lineup will be forthcoming."
An update regarding the No. 11 Chevrolet: pic.twitter.com/JDOSEEq4Xi — Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) July 30, 2025
For this weekend's race weekend at Iowa, Kaulig has decided to reunite with Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar, who will pilot the No. 11 car. Hocevar stated he was glad about the opportunity, confirming that he would make the most of it. He said:
"I love to race, anywhere, anytime, so when I was asked to drive the Kaulig Xfinity car at Iowa, I jumped at the opportunity. I'm grateful to the team at Kaulig Racing for believing in me and to Jeff Dickerson and my Spire team for letting me have some fun with the 11 team this weekend. I promise to make the most of it."
Another driver who won't be racing at Iowa this weekend is Richard Childress Racing's Austin Hill, who was handed a one-race suspension after he right-rear hooked Aric Almirola at Indianapolis. Hill will lose his playoff points as a result of the penalty given by NASCAR. His team stated that it won't be appealing the penalty. A statement from RCR read:
"Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to the No. 21 team following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We remain focused on winning a championship with Austin Hill in 2025. Austin Dillon will race the No. 21 Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway."
Almirola, who finished one place behind Hill in P35, stated that Hill's move during the race was intentional. He said:
"Oh, it was definitely intentional. He blocked me three times. He had damage on his nose, so he was really slow in the corners. So, it was time to go. I mean, we're coming to 10 laps to go or nine laps to go. Uh, the leaders are starting to put a gap on us. So, it's time to go, and I got him loose. Yeah, you just turn left and hook me in the right rears. Honestly, one of the biggest hits in my entire NASCAR career. Very reminiscent of the hit I took when I broke my back.
"So, glad I'm okay, thankful to everybody back at the shop at Joe Gibbs Racing for building amazing race cars and making them safe. Disappointed, felt like we had a shot to win. I have so much fun every time we run these races. We have great race cars, and I love doing it. It's just unfortunate that guys like that, especially that guy. He stood up in front of a meeting at Martinsville and said he was going to be a role model for all the young kids to look up to, and racing etiquette, and I think that's kind of laughable after that one."
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