Victory for UNOH Graduate in Lucas Oil Late Models

Posted on Friday, August 06, 2021

UNOH Grad DJ Williams (2nd from Left) in Victory Lane with driver Kyle Bronson

Written by contributing columnist Chance Holley

University of Northwestern Ohio graduate DJ Williams can tell you that passion and hard work truly pay off. DJ found himself in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory lane last month with Kyle Bronson at the Imperial Tile Silver Dollar Nationals. DJ has been on tour with Bronson and Crew Chief Tanner Birdwell since May of this year. Bronson’s Crown Jewel victory wouldn’t have been possible without an impressive performance from DJ and the rest of the team.

“After getting caught up in a multicar accident on Thursday we really had to thrash to be ready for Friday and Saturday”, said Williams.  “Thankfully my education at UNOH prepared me to work in high pressure situations. To go from a wrecked race car to victory lane is a dream come true.”

While attending UNOH, DJ was a crew chief on the University’s Motorsports Team, where students crew, build and drive stock cars and UMP Modifieds. As part of earning his Associates in High Performance Motorsports Technology DJ also received instruction in areas such as High Performance Steering and Suspension, Fabrication, and Custom Engine Building.  DJ has taken his knowledge and winning attitude with him on the road with Kyle Bronson Motorsports, saying “Working with Kyle and Tanner is amazing. Just like I did at UNOH, I am learning something new every day.”

When asked about DJ, Kyle Bronson said “[Crew Chief] Tanner and DJ had their work cut out for them after the wreck Thursday night. Thanks to his education at UNOH, DJ has picked up on everything we do as an organization very quickly, and he and Tanner worked as a team to get this car back on the track Friday. With DJ turning my wrenches I know I have the chance of taking this team to victory lane on any given night, and it payed off big at I-80. I feel like this team is working the best it ever has.”

Crew Chief Tanner Birdwell agreed with Bronson. “DJ does very well in high pressure situations because his education prepared him for them. I know I can trust DJ to go above and beyond when it comes to maintaining this car, and when you are racing at the level we are nothing but the best is acceptable. DJ, Kyle and I work great as a team and we are excited to build off the momentum of the Silver Dollar Nationals victory.”

Racing has been a lifelong passion for DJ, who grew up watching his father, David Williams, win in a dirt late model at Potomac Speedway in Maryland. DJ was proud to share a moment after the race with his father and role model. “Calling my dad from victory lane of the Silver Dollar Nationals is one of the highlights of my life so far. He is the one who inspired my love of racing, and to be able to share that moment with him was very emotional” said DJ.

The victory was the first Crown Jewel victory for both Williams and Bronson. DJ said, “After the race Kyle asked me if I ever thought I would end up in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory lane. I told him that it had been my dream since I was young, but growing up I never thought I could make it a reality. Thanks to UNOH I turned my dreams into reality and my passion into a career.”

Category: Applied Technologies

Keywords: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series