Today we’d like to introduce you to Armani Williams.
Hi Armani, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Armani Williams. I am 21 years old, a college student, and professional race car driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. I was diagnosed with Autism when I was 2 years old. At an early age, I found a love for cars and I would play with Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars all the time whether it was on the floor, kitchen counter, or kitchen table. I. then learned about NASCAR and thought it sounded cool, and I wanted to check it out myself. What fascinated me about NASCAR when I watched it for the first time is was how fast the cars were going, how aggressive the drivers and competition was, and the paint schemes on the cars were colorful and cool. My love for racing went up to the point where I dreamed of someday wanting to be a professional race car driver. I started racing when I was 8 years old in go-karts, similar to how most drivers do. I moved up into Bandalero type cars that are like half-size version of a NASCAR stock car, then to racing in the ARCA Truck Pro Series. At that point, A program called the NASCAR Drive 4 Diversity Combine invited me twice to join their program so I could showcase what I can do and get additional training in the sport. NASCAR saw the potential in me and it was that kind of exposure where I got the opportunity to race in NASCAR, but in a Canadian Series called the NASCAR Pinty’s Series. It was great for my development to be a better race car driver to where I ended up getting opportunities back in the United States in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West for several races. I then would make two starts in the ARCA Menards Pro Series at Pheonix International Raceway and Michigan International Speedway. Recently I made my NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Gateway in St. Louis last year and looking to continue moving up through the ranks. What has made this journey that I have taken possible is the support I have with my family who have always believed and supported me in anything that I wanted to do. They are the reason that I am where I am today and I can’t thank them enough for the amount of support they have given me to keep living my dream.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing is ever a smooth road, you’re always going to have ups and downs along the way but that’s what builds character in yourself. For me, being African American as well as being diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum can be a challenge in the sport of NASCAR. There were some doubts of whether I was capable of being able to drive a race car fast and on the edge. All it took was me getting into a race car and letting me out onto the track to show them what I can do behind the wheel and quickly those doubts went away. It took getting a chance and an opportunity to prove to the people that thought I couldn’t do it and show them that I can do it and that I have what it takes is what made the difference for me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Right now, I am a senior college student studying in Mechanical Engineering. Last summer, while racing and while in school, I worked at Stellantis as an intern to gain the knowledge of what it is like in the workplace in a real-world setting. Even with all of that, I am a professional race car driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Using my racing as a platform to help create awareness and inclusion for Autism given that I too have Autism. I get to connect with the autism community by speaking at autism organizations and associations to talk about my story and how I was able to conquer it all through my dream of racing. I help to remind them what autism actually is and how millions of people who have been impacted by it can pursue dreams of anything they are passionate about. To bring them hope and inspiration to keep moving forward and living their life with joy and happiness. That’s the difference I try to make when I’m not on the racetrack and so it’s something I am proud of doing.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice would be to first know what story that you want to share and what you want to accomplish. Share it to as many people as you possibly can and find the people who believe in you and are willing to do everything it takes to help you get to where you want to be. Those who are willing to put you in a position to succeed at anything you want to be good at and gain that knowledge that will pay dividends to when the opportunities present itself. Also, someone who is passionate about you as a person. Being a mentor is an investment of time and emotion. So it’s important to find someone that is passionate about who you are as a person regardless of your capabilities in sports or other activities. That’s what I would look for in a mentor or networking in general.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.teamarmaniracing.com
- Instagram: Armani Williams
- Facebook: Armani Williams
- Twitter: @teamarmaniracin
Image Credits
Chris Thompson
Curator Creative
