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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Josh Williams, driver of the #11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet, waits on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Josh Williams will not race at Watkins Glen International this weekend after a sponsorship deal collapsed before the NASCAR Xfinity Series event. DGM Racing confirmed the driver of the No. 92 Chevrolet was removed from the lineup after a newly added sponsor failed to meet financial commitments agreed to before the season.

The sudden change comes ahead of the Mission 200 at The Glen and marks another setback for Williams during the 2026 NASCAR season. Canadian driver Alex Guenette will replace him with support from DLGL HRIS Software.

The situation has again drawn attention to NASCAR sponsorship problems and the financial pressure on smaller teams competing every week in the NASCAR Xfinity Series garage.

Why Josh Williams Is Missing the Watkins Glen International NASCAR Race

Many fans searching for an explanation for why Josh Williams is not racing this weekend got their answer when DGM Racing released an official statement before the Watkins Glen race weekend. The organization said sponsorship commitments were not fulfilled, forcing the team to make a difficult business decision.

Williams reacted to the situation with disappointment while also supporting the team’s choice.

“This is an unfortunate circumstance for everyone involved. No team works harder than the men and women at DGM, and this is just another setback for a dedicated team that consistently shows up doing so much with so little.”

“We were very excited to bring a new partner into the sport, but they weren’t able to fulfill the terms and commitments they agreed to.”

Williams also explained that he understands the business side of NASCAR because he owns a race team himself.

“As a team owner myself, I completely understand the decision that had to be made as a result. Looking forward to the day when we’ll be back.”

The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver entered 2026 with a multi-year agreement to race for DGM Racing. However, the Watkins Glen event is now the third race Williams has missed this season due to sponsorship-related issues.

DGM Racing Continues Fighting NASCAR Sponsorship Problems

Mario Gosselin admitted the Josh Williams situation was painful for the organization. The DGM Racing owner described Williams as “like a son” while discussing the difficult decision ahead of the Watkins Glen NASCAR weekend.

“While this is an incredible opportunity for Alex, this is a terribly difficult situation for our team.”

“We came into the season with strong commitments that we believed were going to elevate our program and position our team for success, but when those don’t come to fruition, tough decisions have to be made to protect the future of our program and ensure long-term stability.”

NASCAR sponsorship problems have become a major challenge for smaller Xfinity Series teams. Rising costs and uncertain funding continue to affect race schedules, driver opportunities, and long-term planning throughout the garage.

DGM Racing has worked to stay competitive through partnerships, including its alliance with Jesse Iwuji Motorsports. Even with limited resources, the team has continued to compete against larger NASCAR Xfinity Series organizations with bigger budgets and deeper sponsorship support.

Despite the setback, DGM Racing confirmed Josh Williams remains part of its future plans. His contract with the team continues through the 2027 NASCAR season.

Josh Williams 2026 NASCAR Xfinity Series Stats and Alex Guenette Opportunity

Josh Williams has made 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts in 2026 while competing in a highly competitive field. The Watkins Glen race will now become the third event he has missed this year.

His replacement, Alex Guenette, returns to DGM Racing for a major opportunity at Watkins Glen International. The Canadian driver previously raced for the team during the 2023 season and earned a 15th-place finish on the Chicago street course.

The Watkins Glen road course is one of the most technical tracks on the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule. Drivers must manage braking zones, tire wear, and race strategy throughout the event. Guenette’s experience in NASCAR Canada competition could help him adjust quickly during the weekend.

For Josh Williams, the absence from the race is another difficult moment in a season already affected by sponsorship uncertainty. Still, both the driver and DGM Racing said they remain committed to continuing together beyond the 2026 NASCAR season.