Mark Martin gives 'underdog' Josh Williams a shoutout in first Cup Series start

While Josh Williams didn’t make the main event in the Busch Light Clash, he did get a shout-out from a NASCAR all-time great, Mark Martin. Williams made his first Cup Series start, although in an exhibition, in the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevy. He almost made the big show, too.

If Chase Briscoe had been a touch slower, it would have been Williams in that finale last night. The lack of heat races and a Last Chance Qualifier meant he had to do it on practice/qualifying speed alone.

It was just a fraction of a difference but Josh Williams was excluded from the Busch Light Clash field. Still, he earned kind words from Mark Martin, a 40-time winner in the Cup Series, largely seen as the greatest driver to never win a championship.

“Josh Williams. Dude just needed a chance,” Martin wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Good for the sport for the underdogs to get a chance to shine.”

Folks, it wasn’t that long ago when Williams was building and racing his own cars in ARCA, and winning. He’s a gritty, old-school racer who wants nothing more than to compete. And, he’s got the endorsement of one of the best to ever do it.

Thank you @markmartin I’m excited for 2024 https://t.co/wPZ8jurr8B

— Josh Williams (@Josh6williams) February 4, 2024

Josh Williams had to painfully watch the race from the stands of the LA Coliseum. However, this might be a sign of things to come for the Kaulig racer. He has a full season in the Xfinity Series ahead of him with limited Cup starts. He’s going to try and make the most of it when he gets a chance.

I think Williams is going to be a racer’s racer. Someone with a ton of respect in the garage and a lot of talent to show on the track. Just give him a chance and watch him.

Josh Williams almost shocked the NASCAR world

You could argue that Josh Williams has made a habit of shocking NASCAR fans and drivers. He shocked everyone when he parked his car at Atlanta on the start-finish line. Then, in the offseason, he was arguably the surprise of the Xfinity Series silly season.

Williams signing with Kaulig Racing is huge. This puts him in winning equipment. There is also a ton of pressure to perform at that point. It is a double-edged sword for these underdog-type drivers to move up to a big-time program.

If it works, then all you have said about yourself is true. Just needed a shot, needed the equipment, and needed the support. If Williams isn’t able to perform up to Kaulig’s standard in the Xfinity Series, then it gets dicey.

Before we really start putting coal in the Josh Williams train, let’s just build up some speed first. He had a great first appearance with Kaulig. He was in the first group to go out in qualifying, meaning he didn’t have a track with as many laps run on it. Also, he didn’t know what the minimum time he had to have to make the big race was. Slight disadvantage.

I really like Williams. I think Mark Martin is exactly right. Give this driver a chance and just let him go to work. He’s going to grind and battle for every spot on the track and this season is likely going to be no different.