By Tim Whitmire, The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE — A well-known NASCAR publicist was arrested Tuesday and charged with statutory rape and soliciting a minor for sex over the Internet, authorities said.
Richard Norman "Chip" Williams Jr., of Mooresville, was arrested in the parking lot of a Guilford County church where he had arranged to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old girl with whom he had been conversing in an Internet chat room, Sheriff B.J. Barnes said.
Williams' firm, Williams Company of America, Inc., handles media and public relations for drivers Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte, Derrike Cope and John Andretti, among others. Williams also formerly worked for NASCAR, where he handled public relations for the top-level Winston Cup racing series.
