Josh Williams has not competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since Kaulig Racing released him in July, but he will return this season as part of a four-race deal.
According to a Friday announcement, Williams will join Alpha Prime Racing to drive the No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro. He will have health services company Optum as his primary sponsor. Alloy Employer Services will continue to support Williams as an associate partner.
Williams's first start will take place at Daytona International Speedway on Aug. 22. He will then return to the No. 45 at the Charlotte Roval on Oct. 4, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 11, and Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 1.
Help us in welcoming @Josh6williams to Alpha Prime Racing!@Optum will join Josh in four races throughout the season beginning at @DAYTONA.#Wawa250 | @XfinityRacing pic.twitter.com/PH4CfgZg6p
— Alpha Prime Racing (@TeamAlphaPrime) August 15, 2025
The four-race deal includes more than the starts in the No. 45 Chevrolet. Optum will also support the Josh Williams Hospital Tour, which features him traveling to different children's hospitals across the country.
The veteran driver spends time with children and their families, he hosts in-hospital TV shows, and he provides the opportunity for these children to contribute to his annual handprint scheme. Williams regularly uses this special scheme during the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
"It's real important for me to have companies that believe in me, my career, and my dedication to the hospital tour," Williams said in a press release. "Alloy Employer Services has been behind me for years and having Optum join the program is another reminder that what we're doing matters.
"This has been a trying time for my family, me and my fans, and the support throughout the garage and my partners has been a bright spot. I'm looking forward to representing Optum at races throughout the year as well as on the Josh Williams Hospital Tour."
Williams made 21 starts this season in the No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet. He posted two top-10 finishes -- one at Rockingham Speedway and one at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
His time with Kaulig Racing ended, however, after a trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team released Williams and began using a variety of drivers to judge the Xfinity program's quality.
Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell have both made starts in the No. 11. Justin Haley and Will Brown will be the next to take over the entry for Xfinity Series races at Daytona and Portland, respectively.