Veteran motorsports reporter Deb Williams was named the recipient of the 2026 Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence, becoming the 14th winner of the award.

Williams began her journalism career in the late 1970s at United Press International, becoming one of the first women to regularly cover NASCAR. She spent 18 years with NASCAR Winston Cup Scene, serving as editor for 10 of those years, and contributed to The Gaston Gazette, USA Today, Racing Today, espnW.com and UPI. She is currently a motorsports correspondent for AutoWeek.

"Deb Williams has been a trusted, respected and pioneering media voice in NASCAR for decades," said Jim France, NASCAR chairman and CEO. "As one of the first women to cover our sport on a regular basis, she broke barriers while earning the respect of competitors, industry leaders and fellow journalists. Her storytelling has given fans a deeper understanding of the people and passion inside the garage, and her integrity and dedication has made her a role model for many who follow in her path. Deb's grace and professionalism embody the best of motorsports journalism."

Williams is the 1990 recipient of the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence (formerly called the Henry T. McLemore Award), becoming the first woman to earn the honor. She is also a two-time honoree of the National Motorsports Press Association's Writer of the Year award and received the Russ Catlin Award for Motorsports Journalism in 2009. In addition, she has earned multiple honors from the Eastern Motorsport Press Association.

The Squier-Hall Award is voted upon by a panel of NASCAR and NASCAR Hall of Fame executives, active and retired media members, and former NASCAR competitors and industry leaders. Williams will be honored during NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony festivities on January 23, 2026, and featured in an exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

For more information, visit nascarhall.com.

Image courtesy of NASCAR Hall of Fame