Josh Williams Makes Most Of Unfortunate Situation At Mobile

Josh Williams Makes Most Of Unfortunate Situation At Mobile

Topics: Josh Williams, Mobile ARCA 200

Josh Williams Makes Most Of Unfortunate Situation At Mobile

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
Josh Williams Motorsports
March 12, 2012

MOBILE, Alabama (March 12, 2012) - - Josh Williams’s strong performance at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway (MIS) in the inaugural running Mobile ARCA 200 was subdued by a mechanical malfunction just past the halfway point thus forcing Williams and his Josh Williams Motorsports (JWM ) team to make the best of the situation and fight hard for a respectable finish.

Despite not being able to partake in a private test session at the Southern Alabama race-track prior to arriving on the grounds Thursday afternoon, Williams, an accomplished short track racer was revving on the performance of his No. 02 Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford Fusion at a private test at Caraway (N.C.) Speedway a few days earlier.

Mother Nature invaded the track late Thursday night and most of Friday morning, drenching the grounds of MIS, postponing the start of practice at the half-mile short track. When the all-clear was given, teams had approximately two hours to dial in their machines before qualifying took place later that night.

In a field of 42-cars, Williams maneuvered the 23rd quickest lap and after conferring with crew chief Jeremy Crandall, the team opted for some changes to their Ford Fusion hoping to improve the handling of their automobile.

While practice occurred during the day, Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell took place under the lights with Williams posting the 25th quickest lap of the session securing him into the second race of the season based on speed.

From the drop of the green flag in the Mobile ARCA 200, Williams had a game plan. He had cautiously kept his No. 02 Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford Fusion out of the “eye of the storm” but continued to turn quick enough laps that would keep him on the lead lap.

Early on, Williams held his own through lap 25 before beginning to mount his charge towards the front. By lap 35, Williams had advanced to 22nd on a track that was diagnosed as extremely hard to pass on.

A caution on lap 48 allowed Williams to bring his machine to pit road for his mandated stop. Restarting 24th on lap 54, the Port Charlotte, Florida native once again began traveling his way towards the front. When the yellow flag waived just 10 laps later, several of the leaders elected to make their mandatory stop which shifted the running order considerably which lifted Williams to 12th for the restart on lap 68.

The driver of the No. 02 Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford Fusion was able to fend off his challengers and remain in the top-12 through lap 85 but it was just after the halfway point where the team’s day took a strange and dramatic turn.

Williams suddenly began sliding back through the field and became on the verge of spinning out nearly every lap. Baffled by the abrupt change, Williams’ hope for a caution would be dashed as the field settled into a long-green flag run which forced the Floridian to keep his car on track despite falling off the lead lap.

Consciousness driving by Williams kept the car on-course and when the yellow flag did finally waive on lap 168, it allowed the racer to catch his breath. Pit road opened one lap later with the No. 02 taking on tires, fuel and a brief inspection. Unable to completely diagnose the problem during the race, the team penetrated the issue in the rear end of the racecar but informed their driver to stay alert and finish the race.

Through a couple late race cautions including a green-white-checkered finish, Williams was able to grasp the checkered flag in the 20th position, two laps behind winner and hometown favorite Cale Gale.

Upon further inspection of their automobile upon the conclusion of the race, the team found their issue. The shock had become literally disengaged from the rear-end of the No. 02 Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford Fusion thus identifying why the handling changed dramatically.

“Man, we had such a super race car,” said Williams after the race. “I’m glad we were able to keep it in one piece, but I’m dejected because I think our problem could have been prevented. We’re still a young team and we’re learning, so we’re going to have some hiccups along the way. The strong point of the weekend was knowing that we had a car capable of running in the top-10 and were still able to salvage a decent finish all things considered. Salem’s next and that’s one of my favorite race tracks, so we’ll look for a little redemption there.”

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is the third of 20 races on the 2012 tour at the historic Salem (Ind.) Speedway for the running of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 on Sunday, April 29. Williams will make just his second start at the demanding race track but looks to duplicate or better his performance from a year ago where he started 11th and finished a strong sixth.

For more information on Josh Williams, his Josh Williams Motorsports team and sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 season please connect to the team’s official website at Joshwracing.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Josh Williams, driver of the No. 02 Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford Fusion in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Josh Williams Motorsports (JWM).

TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com