Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Armani Williams Of NASCAR Is Helping To Change Our World

An Interview With Maria Angelova

“Remember that as long as you believe in yourself of your ability, you stay encouraged when things aren’t perfect, and you continue to work hard, then you can be successful in racing.”

As a part of our series about sports stars who are making a social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Armani Williams.

We had the pleasure to interview Armani Williams. Armani Williams from Grosse Pointe, Mich. (Born April 14th, 2000) is an American professional race car driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Mi.

He is easily recognized at the track with his famous high point faux hawk haircut. As well, he is neuro-diverse and the first professional driver in NASCAR known to be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Given the challenges associated with Autism, Williams rise to NASCAR’s top three national series is remarkable and considered extraordinary.

Williams enjoys a racing platform that gives him a unique profile and position to spread awareness and drive inclusion opportunities for families and children impacted by neurodiversity and other neurological development delays.

Williams has been a brand ambassador for several companies and organizations that promote diversity and inclusion, as well as supporting Autism. As a goal, Williams seeks to be a champion on the track, as well as partnering with corporations that have initiated Autism hiring and job programs for individuals on the spectrum.

Williams grew up racing short tracks in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

His professional career began as a 16-year-old participating in NASCAR’s Driver 4 Diversity Combine program. From there, he would go north and race in the professional NASCAR Pinty’s Series in Canada for Canada’s Best Race Team (CBRT).

After successfully demonstrating that he could compete in Canada, Williams career moved back to the United States competing in NASCAR’s regional series ARCA East and West, and ultimately for the premier ARCA Menards Series.

His success at the national ARCA Menards Series level opened the door for Williams to step into NASCAR’s national top-three series.

Williams has seen both challenge and success on the track, requiring Williams to tap into an elevated level of mental strength. He is often quoted as saying, “Tell me I can’t, so that I can show you that I can.”

Armani Williams’ future in the sport is bright.

He currently competes for Mooresville, N.C.- based Young’s Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

His best NASCAR Truck Series national series finish came in 2021 for Reaume Brothers Racing where Williams finished 21st at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, nestled outside of St. Louis, Mo.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

Yes, growing up I was diagnosed with autism when I was 2 years old. My parents always looked after me not knowing what my life or future would be like. There was a lot of uncertainty as to what I would grow up to be especially going through the school years.

“At first, my favorite thing to do as a kid was play with cars. I would have a collection of NASCAR, Hotwheels, Matchbox cars and pretend to race them at my parents and grandparents house on the floor or kitchen table.

“Then one day, I heard about NASCAR and I was intrigued by it that I wanted to check it out myself. The first time I watched it, I was amazed by how fast the cars were going, it was unlike anything I had ever seen.

“How cool the paint schemes were and how aggressive the drivers were. That’s where I went from loving cars to loving racing, it raised my interest right away and I would want to watch every race when it was on television.

“I loved racing so much that it became a passion, I told my dad that I wanted to be a professional racecar driver. My dad understood that it was my dream and he was onboard with it and that’s where my racing career started to take off.”

Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I would say it was back in 2014 when I won my very first big-time race at a track in New Paris, Indiana. I started sixth that night and found my way to the front of the field in a hurry. We had a great car. And pretty much lead almost the entire race and held off all challengers to win it.

“Now usually once you win the race you’re supposed to take your car on the frontstretch of the track to go to victory lane. I was so busy getting excited about the win that I just went off the track to go my trailer and somebody had to get to come up to my car to let me know that I had to get back on the track.

“That what like a “uh-oh” moment right there and I laugh about a little when I talk about that. What lesson did I learned from that was simply knowing how to celebrate victory the right way and not just sharing it to myself to everyone who helped me accomplish a win on that night as well as share it with the fans who come to see us race.”

What is your greatest accomplishment of 2022?

I would say my greatest accomplishment of the 2022 season would be when I had to qualify my way into the race at Kansas in the fall. Throughout my entire racing career, I have always been locked in to any race I was involved in, I have not been in a situation where I had to go out onto the track and qualify my way in.

“But on this particular race, because of the way the NASCAR owner points standings played out where drivers in the top-30 would be in the race no matter what. I knew that I had to physically with my driving ability had to go out on the track and lay down the best lap I ever turned in my life because I needed to show that in a tough situation I could pull through to get myself into the race.

“At the end of qualifying, I managed to do that and it was a proud moment for me to know that I could overcome that kind of adversity.”

What are some of the most interesting or exciting new projects you are working on now?

One of the projects I’m involved in right now is a content company called Citizens Films where we are doing a documentary on me about how I go about my life personally when I’m not on the racetrack and when I on the racetracks.

“What are some things that I do all together that not everybody gets to see a whole lot so I’m excited about that.”

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

One of them was DJ Kennington, who happen to be a mentor of mine when I was racing in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series in Canada.

“I just remember every time I interacted with him he was always a very great guy to be around, very professional, very passionate driver in the sport of racing.

“Every time I needed some advice when we were on the racetrack, he was the one guy I would look for to help guide me on what to do and I’m very grateful for that.”

What would you advise a young person who aspires to follow in your footsteps and emulate your career? What advice would you give?

I would say that if you want to strive to be a race car driver then you need to start as early as possible to help you get more opportunities as you build your career.

“The main thing is the driving, as long as you know how a gas pedal, a brake pedal, and a steering wheel works and utilize it to your ability then you are capable of driving anything. Start out by racing small cars until you’re ready to take the next steps into bigger, faster race cars of any kind.

“Trying to make it to the big time requires a great support system around and to have network to anyone that you know of that understands racing on the track and off the track at the same time because that will help you go really far.

“Remember that as long as you believe in yourself of your ability, you stay encouraged when things aren’t perfect, and you continue to work hard, then you can be successful in racing.”

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I have used my success to bring goodness to the world by speaking to several autism related organizations and events where I would talk about my story with living my life through autism and racing in a way to help inspire those in the autism community to never give up on any hopes and dreams that they have always envisioned.

“I remember every time that I raced we would look for any autism associated group who were nearby and try to provide free tickets for them to come to a race and to experience something they have never experienced before.

“All of those were a lot to help give back in a big way.”

The truth is that none of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that made a profound difference in your life to whom you are grateful? Can you share a story?

I would say that particular person would be my grandma. She was a big influence on me based on how she would go through life with kindness and work ethic. She always reminded me of what were the right things to do and what were the wrong things to do.

“She made sure that I was well behaved and always wanted to know how I was doing all the time. I’m very grateful to have had her in my life.”

Why does that resonate with you so much?

It’s interesting because my favorite life lesson quote happens to be one of mine. It’s not only a life lesson quote but a motto I carry with me is “Tell me I can’t, so that I can show you that I can.” It resonates with me because it reminds me that life is full of challenges. It’s about how you face and overcome adversity. People will try to doubt you all the time but you can’t let that get to you.

“You have to believe in your true ability and what you know you can do that not many can. That’s why that resonates with me

What did you learn most during your NASCAR and ARCA Menards Series career?

I feel like what I learn most from a driving standpoint is how do the professionals conduct themselves as far as being a professional and being the best race car driver that they can be.

“Understanding that there is more to do than just getting behind the wheel with what you do off the race track. Everything to watching films of races, getting on the simulator as many times possible to sharpen my racing skills, how to communicate with my crew on what my car is doing and what do I need it to do.

“I’m the one driving the car at the end of the day and I only know what my car is doing so the communication aspect is what I learned as well.

“However, the main thing I learned so far in my career in NASCAR and especially ARCA, is getting to know as many people as you possibly can in the garage area. Whether that’s driver I compete against, teams, business partners that could be potential sponsors.

“It can go a long way as far as helping me get more opportunities to continue what I love the most, which is racing. So, the networking aspect is what I learned most throughout my career.

What is your message to others battling Autism?

My message to those who are impacted by autism is to never give up on hope. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, you have to make a decision on whether you’re going to let autism get the best of you or are you willing to overcome any obstacles that you need to hurdle.

“At the end of the day, life is full of challenges, we all have them. Find something that brings you joy and happiness in your life, and if it’s a dream that you want to pursue in, go for it.

“As long as you stay encouraged no matter what, you continue to believe in yourself regardless of what anyone thinks of you and continue to work hard for whatever it’s going to take to accomplish your dream and you have the people around that are willing to do what it takes to help you get to a place where you truly want to be.

“The possibilities are endless and it will happen. So, continue to push forward, understand what your strengths are, use it in what you want to be successful in. And that dream will happen!”

What are your personal and professional goals for 2023?

I am excited to be returning to competition in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series next season. In 2023, I want to compete in many races that I can in hopes it will propel me to become a full-time race car driver in 2024.

“I also want to win a race because I truly believe that I am capable of it.”

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.

1. “Always trust in yourself in your ability to drive a race car. Example: Getting comfortable holding it wide open at a track called Kansas Speedway where you are staying on the gas the whole time.”
2. “Stay confident no matter what happens. Example: I was initially thought that I would race a NASCAR truck for the first time at St. Louis and was told that I was ineligible to compete in a race that had championship implications but then got the word back that I was eligible and so I made my debut last year in St. Louis in a NASCAR Truck.”
3. “Don’t ever give up pursuing your dream. Example: I think of a driver of Ross Chastain who competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. A man who was not given everything but always worked hard, scratch and claw to continue racing because it’s what he loves to do and everytime I feel any doubt I always think of him.”
4. “Think about the impact you can make that means more than racing. Example: As I continue to move up in racing it was apparent that we needed to do something that we could give back to.

“And knowing that there are many people who have been impacted by Autism. We decided to use my racing platform to raise awareness for autism by forming the Race4Autism Foundation.”

5. “Always stay true to who you are, don’t try to be someone you’re not. Example: I always thought when I watch races and I see drivers do an interview that I always felt that the sport needed some personality in a good way.

“So, I always thought whenever I’m in those situations that I will make sure to not only say the right things but at the same time have fun with it, show your personality because you never know how many people can connect with someone who stays true to themselves.”

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I could inspire a movement. I think it would be helping people with autism to get better and equal job opportunities so that they can contribute in way to society like everyone else in this world.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)

This is a great question. There are four people that I would love to sit down with for lunch. I would like to sit down with Ms. Rosalind Brewer. She is the CEO of Walgreens.

“That organization has a program called “Walgreen’s Hiring Autism.” I would love to talk to Ms. Brewer about sponsoring me as a race professional and having me serve as ambassador to that program and promote the Walgreens Hiring Autism program around the country.

“Similarly, Mr. Michael Dell at Dell Computer has a program, “Dell Autism Hiring Program.” I would like to have a similar conversation and partnership with Dell.

“Also, on that list is Mr. Jamie Dimon, CEO at JP Morgan Chase that has an “Autism at Work” program, and Mr. Enrique Lores, CEO at HP that has a program called “Spectrum Success Program.”

“I think a conversation and partnership with these organizations could have a significant impact on the Autism community, helping those challenged by autism to have hope, opportunity, and build self-confidence through having a job and contributing to their communities in a positive way.

“To me, it’s about creating positive life outcomes and I think that I have a lot of offers to these organizations and the neurodiverse communities where they do business.”

How can our readers follow you online?

For more on Armani Williams, please visit teamarmaniracing.com, like him on Facebook (Team Armani Racing) and follow him on Twitter (@TeamArmaniRacin) and Instagram (@armaniwilliamsracing).

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher, and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness, and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.