Deb Williams, Senior Writer
An award winning motorsports journalist, Deb Williams has covered auto racing for more than 30 years. She began her career covering weekly short-track races in Asheville, N.C., while a student at East Tennessee State University and continued after becoming the sports editor at the newspaper in Waynesville, N.C. Upon joining United Press International in Raleigh, N.C., as a general assignment reporter, she began covering NASCAR's top two series and continued to do so after being named UPI's Charlotte, N.C., bureau manager. After leaving UPI, she spent 18 years with the publication NASCAR Winston Cup Scene, serving as its editor for 10 years. Her numerous honors include the Henry T. McLemore Award, the Russ Catlin Award and the George Cunningham National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year award. She has received NMPA awards for columns, news, features and magazine stories. She has written three books. Her most recent, “The Evolution of NASCAR, A Historical Collection, was released in November 2010. Williams has taught the Evolution of Southern Motorsports at Appalachian State University, and has been interviewed for historical motorsports shows that have aired on ESPN and SPEED. She resides in Concord, N.C.
Articles by Deb Williams
MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Ten years ago race day at Martinsville Speedway dawned with a heavy fog enveloping the half-mile track and the surrounding countryside.
The fog was so thick on Oct. 24, 2004 that team owner Roger Penske’s plane was among those who diverted to Danville, Va. However, the Hendrick Motorsports Beechcraft Super King Air 200 […]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Swapping Danica Patrick’s and Kurt Busch’s crew chiefs and road crews had been discussed for quite some time, Stewart-Haas Racing Competition Director Greg Zipadelli said Friday at Martinsville Speedway.
The personnel exchange that was announced earlier this week becomes effective for the Oct. 31-Nov. 2 AAA Texas 500 […]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
CONCORD, N.C. – Ever since the season began Talladega has been the Chase race dreaded the most by the competitors and after the post-race fights at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bank of America 500 winner Kevin Harvick would prefer to simply watch next week’s event.
“It’ll be one hell of a race […]
CONCORD, N.C. – After 18 straight weeks of racing, NASCAR’s Nationwide Series teams now have a two-week break before the final three events, but standings leader Chase Elliott doesn’t plan on taking a vacation.
“I’m going to try to find as many short-track races to run as I can,” said Elliott, who possesses a 42-point […]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
CONCORD, N.C. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned 40 years old on Friday.
Like most drivers, the actual celebration of his birthday occurred earlier in the week because on Friday he was at Charlotte Motor Speedway preparing for Saturday’s Bank of America 500. His family and friends had a surprise party for […]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After two more races, the Chase field will be slashed by another four drivers and Denny Hamlin said Thursday the 2014 format was more emotional for the competitors than the way it had been conducted since 2004.
“This is not a 10-race Chase anymore, it’s a three-race Chase […]
CONCORD, N.C. – Rain Sunday afternoon at zMAX Dragway forced postponement of the elimination round in the Countdown to the Championship’s opening event – the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals – until next weekend at Dallas.
It is the first time the Carolina Nationals haven’t been completed as scheduled since the event began in 2008. However, […]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
CONCORD, N.C. – V. Gaines escaped injury Sunday when his Dodge Dart flipped four times near the finish line at zMAX Dragway in the first round of Pro Stock eliminations during the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals.
The accident forced a halt in the first event of the Countdown to the […]
CONCORD, N.C. – Fresh off a victory in the U.S. Nationals, Alexis DeJoria emerged as the No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car for the second time in her career Saturday during preparations for the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
DeJoria, who was fourth quickest in Friday’s opening round, sat out the second one, […]
By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com
CONCORD, N.C. – After a seven-year absence, three-time NHRA champion Angelle Sampey will return to Pro Stock Motorcycle competition this year in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series with Star Racing, it was announced Saturday at zMAX Dragway.
Sampey returns with team owners George and Jackie Bryce of Americus, Ga., […]