SPARTA, Kentucky (September 24, 2015) – – In the penultimate ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race of the season, championship contender Josh Williams has plenty of “hands on” support for Friday night’s Crosley Brands 150 at Kentucky Speedway.
Throughout the season, Williams has been publicly vocal on a visit to a local children’s hospital last year that quickly blossomed into a friendship and on-track campaign to support 5-year-old Anya Cale Harvey and her battle with Leukemia.
Every race this season the Port Charlotte, Florida native has carried decals reminding him of that indelible day, but Friday night’s 100-lap shootout in the Bluegrass State will mean more.
Much more.
In addition to Anya Cale Harvey attending the race as a guest of Josh Williams Motorsports (JWM), the team will run a special No. 6 Musselman’s BIG CUP / Team Anya Cale #BeatLeukemia Chevrolet paint scheme.
Nestled in with his marketing partnership with Musselman’s Applesauce, the car will feature handprints of not only Anya Cale Harvey, but other children that Williams and his team have visited this season through his various hospital stops along the ARCA trail, including recent trips to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital (Pa.) last month.
“The trips to those hospitals is an experience that will never leave you,” said driver Josh Williams, who enters the next-to-last ARCA race second in the championship standings. “When you listen to their stories, you spend time with them, you just can’t help but wanting to stay in touch with them.
“It’s a bond that cannot be broken.”
With time running out before the checkered flag falls on William’s third full-time season of competition, the 22-year-old driver wanted to make sure his team could do something special to not only raise awareness, but also as a gesture of gratitude for the difference these young lives have made on him as a driver.
“I’d like to be there with them all the time, sometimes that’s just not possible,” added Williams. “It’s not that we don’t try, but our schedules at times prevent us from having that interaction.”
Still, Williams knows while battling his own dreams on and off the race track, his opportunity to drive the decorative No. 6 Musselman’s BIG CUP / Team Anya Cale #BeatLeukemia Chevrolet in his 80th career ARCA race is a highlight of his blossoming career.
“We put two all-nighters into getting this car together for the test and then the race,” added Williams. “The test was very productive for us, not only because we were fast, but because the car attracted attention. Hopefully, it’s all hands in for Friday night and we can grab our first career win.”
Mutoh America Inc., General Formulations and Wrap Nation were all instrumental in making the customized wrap possible for the event live on FOX Sports 1 Friday night.
Mutoh provided the printing of the wrap, utilizing their state-of-the-art printers and technology, which also colored matched the handprints seen on William’s No. 6 Chevrolet.
“After hearing about Josh Williams and his Team Anya Cale #BeatLeukemia campaign Mutoh America was excited to be able to collaborate on such a one of kind campaign and race car,” offered Dave Conrad, director of marketing for North and Latin America for Mutoh America Inc. “We look forward to working with Josh Williams and his team and were happy to partner in his efforts for the fight against childhood cancer.”
General Formulations was instrumental for donating the material to be printed on, as well worked through the collaborative effort bringing the handprints from paper plates to a vinyl print as a life-size figurine.
“General Formulations is proud to be part of this event and to donate wrap material for this great cause,” said Blake McCleary, director of marketing for General Formulations. “The bond between Josh Williams Motorsports and Anya is a touching one and we are happy to support such an inspirational association.”
Wrap Nation, the third and final partner worked closed with Mutoh to digitalize the handprints, so they could be placed appropriately into the design.
“Wrap Nation™ is proud to Partner with Josh Williams and their organization, to bring Hope and Happiness to the Children who are battling cancer,” said Zachariah Lujano, president of Wrap Nation.
Josh Williams Motorsports would also like to thank CM2 Concepts and the parents and legal guardians of each the 50 children for allowing the handprints to be sported on the No. 6 Musselman’s BIG CUP Chevrolet in his third trip to the 1.5-mile speedway.
Follow Josh Williams on Twitter @Josh6Williams or “like” his Facebook page at Facebook.com/JWMotorsports.
Visit Josh Williams online at JoshWMotorsports.com.
The Crosley Brands 150 (100 Laps / 150 Miles) is the 19th of 20 races on the 2015 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. Practice begins for the one-day show on Friday, September 25 from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for a short time later at 4:40 p.m. The event will take the green flag later that night around 8:00 p.m. The penultimate race will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 with including live timing and scoring available online at ARCARacing.com. All times are local (Eastern).
About Josh Williams Motorsports (JWM):
Josh Williams Motorsports (JWM) is a Concord, North Carolina based ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards team. With a family tradition of racing and mentoring programs, JWM excels in driver development programs and brand marketing.
