John Wes Townley

John Wes Townley is an American stock car racing driver who recorded 186 starts in the NASCAR Nationwide/Xfinity Series and Truck Series between 2008 and 2016. He scored only one victory, in the Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October 2015. Since 2014, Townley was driving part-time for the Athenian Motorsports, a team owned by his father Tony Townley, who is also an owner of John's main sponsor Zaxby's restaurants.

John Wes Townley

John Wes Townley debuted in NASCAR national series in 2008

John Wesley Townley was born on December 31, 1989, in Watkinsville, Georgia. As a teenager, he competed in the ASA (American Speed Association) races before he debuted in NASCAR in 2007. He participated in two races of the NASCAR Busch East Series.

In 2008, Townley debuted in two national series, driving for RAB Racing in three races of the Nationwide Series and for Roush Racing in seven races of the Craftsman Truck Series. Townley also competed full season in the ARCA ReMax Series.

Not so nice nickname for 'wrecking' John

In 2009, Townley returned to Nationwide Series with RAB Racing's #09 Ford, sponsored by Zaxby's. He qualified for 26 races and his best result was the 16th place at Bristol Motor Speedway. During that season John Wes earned a nickname 'John Wrecks Weekly' because of his controversial driving style and numerous accidents.

For the 2010 Nationwide Series season, Townley joined Richard Childress Racing to drive the #21 Chevrolet. The team wasn't satisfied with his performances and he was released after just six races. Later in the season, Townley returned to RAB Racing's #90 Ford.

In 2012, Townley entered his first full season in the Truck Series

Traffic accident arrest and return to the Truck Series

In 2011, John Wes took a break from racing and then he returned to the Camping World Truck Series in 2012 to drive the #09 Toyota Tundra for RAB Racing. In February, Townley was arrested and charged after a traffic accident in Oconee County, Georgia. He was subsequently suspended by RAB Racing and was placed on probation by NASCAR.

He missed the season-opening race at Daytona. After that, he competed full season in the Truck Series and reached a pair of Top 10 results. His best result was the 8th place at Pocono, he finished 16th in the final standings.

Unsuccessful Sprint Cup Series debut

In 2012, he also had five starts in the Nationwide Series. In August 2012, Townley attempted to make his Sprint Cup Series debut at Pocono Raceway, in the FAS Lane Racing's #32 Ford, sponsored by Zaxby's. He crashed out during a practice and was replaced by Jason White.

Another full season in the Truck Series followed in 2013, with Red Horse Racing's #7 Toyota. Townley scored seven Top 10 finishes, ending a season in the 11th place. His best result was the 6th place at Chicagoland and Homestead-Miami.

The first win for John in the ARCA Series

Townley participated in two Nationwide Series races for Venturini Motorsports, but also in five ARCA Series races with the same team. He won the season-opening ARCA race at Daytona, which was his maiden victory.

Townley started the season of 2014 with Wauters Motorsport's #5 Toyota in the Truck Series and Venturini Motorsport's #15 Toyota in the ARCA Series. In the mid-season, the Athenian Motorsports was founded by John's father Tony, so John moved to the team both in the Nationwide and Truck Series. He finished 15th in the final classification of the Truck Series.

Townley is cečebrating his only NASCAR victory

Maiden NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory

For the 2015 season, Townley returned to the Truck Series full-time in the #05 Chevrolet Silverado for Athenian Motorsports while also he was running part-time in the Xfinity Series in the #25 Chevrolet Camaro for Athenian Motorsports.

In June 2015, he scored his maiden Top 5 result, finishing third at Texas Motor Speedway. Four months later, his first and only NASCAR victory came. Townley won the Rhino Linings 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He finished 8th in the points of the 2015 Truck Series. In the Xfinity Series, he started in 18 races and the 13th place was his best result.

The #05 Chevrolet Silverado is Townley's car since 2015

John skipped few races after a fight with Spencer Gallagher

The 2016 Truck Series season was interrupted with five skipped races. The first pause followed after a fist fight with Spencer Gallagher at Gateway Motorsports Park in June, the second pause was because of an injured ankle in the last three races of the season. He finished 17th in the points.

One more win in the ARCA Series

In the 2016 Xfinity Series, Townley participated in just two races with #05 Chevrolet Camaro. During 2016. Townley was again pretty active in the ARCA Series and he participated in twelve races with #05 Chevrolet Impala and won one race, at Daytona in February.

Photos: mrn.com, usatoday.com, jayski.com,