Jess Williams

Date of Birth: 3/31/86

Family: Wife Anna, Daughter Laklin Maddox

Hobbies: Fabrication & Hunting

Career Objectives: Sprint Cup

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 230 lbs

Division: 

Years Racing: 11

Engine: McBunch Engines

Favorite Movie: Days of Thunder, Roadhouse

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Race Track: Columbus Speedway (dirt), Iowa Speedway (asphalt)

Racing Hero: Dad, Steve Russell

Most Memorable Moments: 2009 USST National Champion & Rookie of the Year, 2005 Nashville Fairgrounds Rookie of the Year, 2002 Pine Ridge Speedway IMCA Champion & Rookie of the Year

 

Jess Williams began racing when he was 12 years old. His first laps were taken in a yard kart during intermission at the local dirt track. He won five of his first seven races.

The World Karting Association would soon be Jess's stomping ground, as he took his winning ways to a higher level. At age 14, he competed against men twice his age or older. This was not a problem as he racked up more than 25 happy endings in victory lane. Now it was time for the big boy cars and the rugged and highly competitive IMCA Modifieds were the chosen destination for this youngster. Six wins and six second place finishes later in this first year, Jess was not only crowned IMCA Champion at the age of 16, he also walked away with the Rookie of the Year Honors at Pine Ridge Speedway. Mike Maulden, promoter of Pine Ridge, says, "Jess is an exciting kid with a never give up attitude that makes for a promising future."

A 2004 honor roll graduate of West Union High School, and a member of Cornersville Baptist Church, Jess is a very well-balanced young man. Learning at an early age to be a winner off the track, he has given part of his winnings to Lebonheur Children's Medical Center. It doesn't take long to realize this young man is more than just another young racer.

Starting in 2005, Jess competed several years racing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville TN. In that time, Jess has recorded 2 wins, multiple tops 5's, and 2005 Super Truck Rookie of the Year. He is the only driver to finish in the top 6 in points the four years he raced there. Those stats are impressive considering Jess travels 5 hours one way each weekend to race, and only his mother, dad, and he make the trip. The JWR team does not have the funding most teams at this level do, thus not as much help. Still Jess finds a way to be super competitive no matter what the obstacles, a true mark of a champion. According to Tupelo Daily Journal sportswriter Brad Locke," Jess has a bright future as a racecar driver with his unflagging confidence. He knows the dedication it takes to be a winner, and he's dedicated himself to making his racing career a success."

In 2009, Jess Williams and team took to the road and traveled with the United States Super Truck National Serie. The move was a great step for Jess, going to a different track every race makes the driver adapt quicker to different tracks and situations. Low budgets and limited traveling expirence were going to be big hurdles the team would have to over come, one they overcame. The series had races at premier tracks such as Iowa Speedway, Indianapolis Raceway Park, Nashville Super Speedway, and Memphis Motorsports Park. Jess was not only able to adapt, he set the bar at most races. He qualified in the top 5 at every race except one. He also walked away the series National Champion for 2009.

The next step for Jess is undetermined. He's been looking at options in the ARCA series and K&N All Pro Series. These two series offer more compititon and more exposure having races aired on SPEED Channel a  national television channel. He will race dirt for the 2010 and 2011 seasons while finding funding to move up the ladder. If interested in becoming a marketing partner with the Jess Williams Racing team, please email or call.