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William Sawalich
Sawalich at Sonoma Raceway in 2024
Born (2006-10-03) October 3, 2006 (age 18)
Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
Achievements2023, 2024 ARCA Menards Series East Champion
2023 All American 400 Winner
2022 SCCA Trans-Am TA2 ProAm Series Champion
2022 Rumble by the River 125 Winner
2022 Throwback 276 Winner (LMSC)
2023 Orange Blossom 100 Winner
Awards2022 SCCA Trans-Am TA2 ProAM Series Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
3 races run over 1 year
Car no., teamNo. 18 (Joe Gibbs Racing)
2024 position94th
Best finish94th (2024)
First race2024 Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300 (Homestead)
Last race2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 1
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
16 races run over 2 years
2024 position30th
Best finish30th (2023, 2024)
First race2023 Long John Silver's 200 (Martinsville)
Last race2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 3 1
ARCA Menards Series career
27 races run over 2 years
Best finish8th (2023)
First race2023 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
Last race2024 Owens Corning 200 (Toledo)
First win2023 Herr's Snacks 200 (Berlin)
Last win2024 Owens Corning 200 (Toledo)
Wins Top tens Poles
13 25 16
ARCA Menards Series East career
16 races run over 2 years
Best finish1st (2023, 2024)
First race2023 Pensacola 200 (Pensacola)
Last race2024 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
First win2023 Pensacola 200 (Pensacola)
Last win2024 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles
7 15 9
ARCA Menards Series West career
8 races run over 2 years
Best finish15th (2023)
First race2023 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
Last race2024 Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 (Phoenix)
First win2023 Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 (Phoenix)
Last win2024 Portland 112 (Portland)
Wins Top tens Poles
3 7 4
Statistics current as of November 9, 2024.

William Sawalich (born October 3, 2006) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. He is the 2023 and 2024 ARCA Menards Series East champion.

Racing career

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Early career

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Sawalich began racing at the age of nine, running various midget races, including Sr. Animal's and World Formula. From 2017 to 2019, he won several track championships at Little Elko Speedway.[1]

He moved into legends cars in 2020, winning the INEX Young Lions State Championship in Minnesota. He scored multiple top fives and podiums during his legends car efforts.[1][2] He won an INEX sanctioned Legends division feature race at Elko Speedway (MN) on August 22, 2020.[3]

Late models

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Sawalich made the transition to late models in 2021, running nearly a full season in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series. Despite missing two races, he finished fourth in the standings, with one win at Carteret County Speedway,[4] and seven top fives. Along with that, he continued to run in select legend car races. He made his CARS Tour debut at Tri-County Motor Speedway in September, in which he started on the pole. He finished 17th after being involved in a late-race accident.

In 2022, Sawalich increased his late model schedule, running in the CARS Tour, the Champion Racing Association, the ARCA Midwest Tour, the Southern Super Series, and the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. In the CARS Tour, Sawalich ran nine races, earning six wins, four of them in row.[5][6][7][8] His streak came to an end at Tri-County in September, after he got spun on the last lap by Jake Garcia.[9]

In 2023, Sawalich won the All American 400 in a controversial ending, after the top eight drivers were eliminated due to fluid on the racetrack, causing them to slip up and hit the wall. He also became the youngest driver to win the All American 400.[10]

ARCA

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Sawalich's No. 18 ARCA car at Sonoma in 2023

On December 9, 2022, it was announced that Sawalich would join Joe Gibbs Racing to run 20 races in the ARCA Menards Series. This included a full season in the ARCA Menards Series East, along with select races in the main and West Series.[11] Sawalich would make his debut at Phoenix on March 10, 2023, winning the pole and finishing 13th. In his first East Series start at Five Flags Speedway, Sawalich won the pole and led every lap to earn his first career ARCA win.[12] At Nashville, Sawalich was in contention to win his second race, until the caution came out on the final lap. He would spin his tires on the final restart, ultimately giving the win to Luke Fenhaus.[13] He earned his second win of the season at ARCA's return to Flat Rock Speedway, leading the final 50 laps of the race.[14] He scored his third win of the season at Berlin Raceway, after passing Jesse Love for the lead with two laps to go.[15] Following the Bristol race, Sawalich clinched the ARCA Menards Series East championship.[16]

Sawalich's No. 18 car at Sonoma in 2024

On December 13, 2023, it was announced that Sawalich would run a more expanded ARCA Menards Series and West Series schedule, along with a full-time East Series schedule. He will run the No. 18 for the 14 races in the ARCA Menards Series, and the No. 18 as well in the East and the West Series. Tanner Gray will be the driver of the No. 18 for the six tracks in the ARCA Menards Series that Sawalich is too young to race at.[17] He would start his season in the ARCA Menards Series along with the ARCA Menards Series West with a victory at Phoenix after leading 66 laps in a weather-shortened race.[18] In the East Series first race of the season, Sawalich would lead the most laps at Five Flags, but he would end up finishing second to Gio Ruggiero.[19] At Dover, Sawalich won the pole and once again led the most laps,[20] before being involved in a late race incident, unable to complete the race and finished 17th, the first DNF in his career.[21] In the following race at Nashville, Sawalich rebounded and led 145 of the 150 lap race to score the dominating win.[22] At Portland for the West Series race, Sawalich took the lead from Brandon Jones in the middle stages of the race, and led the final 31 laps to earn his first road course win in ARCA.[23] In fourteen races in the main ARCA series, Sawalich won nine races to go with thirteen Top 5s and finished tenth in the points standings. Sawalich's performance during the season contributed to the No. 18 winning the owner's championship in the main ARCA Series.

During the 2024 ARCA Menards Series East season, Sawalich scored three wins and seven top-three finishes to clinch his second consecutive ARCA East championship.[24]

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

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On January 19, 2023, it was announced that Sawalich would join Tricon Garage for six races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, making his debut in the series.[25] He made his debut at Martinsville Speedway, finishing ninth after running near the top ten for most of the race.[26]

After earning three top tens in 2023, Tricon announced that Sawalich would return to the No. 1 team in 2024, this time with an expanded ten-race schedule.[27] Sawalich would start his season with a 21st place finish at Bristol, along with a 26th place finish at Martinsville. During the season, he scored his first career pole at Talladega, one day after his 18th birthday.[28]

NASCAR Xfinity Series

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On December 13, 2023, it was announced that Sawalich would run the No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series part-time in 2024, starting in the fall. Sawalich will run the final three races of the season at Homestead–Miami, Martinsville, and Phoenix.[29] At Phoenix, he scored his first career pole in his third career start.[30]

On October 21, 2024, it was announced that Sawalich will run full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2025, driving the No. 18 Toyota for JGR.[31]

Personal life

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William's father, Brandon Sawalich, is the president of Starkey Hearing Technologies, the largest hearing aid manufacturer in the United States. Starkey sponsors his racing efforts. Brandon is the stepson of businessman William F. Austin.[32] He has a sister, Amelia, who is in a relationship with fellow NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sam Mayer.[citation needed]

He is currently an online student at Liberty University Online Academy, and is a client of KHI Management.[33]

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series

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NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2024 Joe Gibbs Racing 19 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO COA RCH MAR TEX TAL DOV DAR CLT PIR SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM
24 		MAR
33 		PHO
13 		94th 01 [34]
2025 18 DAY ATL COA PHO LVS HOM MAR DAR BRI CAR TAL TEX CLT NSH MXC POC ATL CSC SON DOV IND IOW GLN DAY PIR GTW BRI KAN ROV LVS TAL MAR PHO -* -*

Craftsman Truck Series

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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCTC Pts Ref
2023 Tricon Garage 1 Toyota DAY LVS ATL COA TEX BRD MAR
9 		KAN DAR NWS CLT GTW NSH MOH
27 		POC RCH
10 		IRP
6 		MLW
26 		KAN BRI
30 		TAL HOM PHO 30th 138 [35]
2024 DAY ATL LVS BRI
21 		COA MAR
26 		TEX KAN DAR NWS CLT GTW NSH POC IRP
12 		RCH
22 		MLW
14 		BRI
11 		KAN TAL
27 		HOM
17 		MAR
14 		PHO
32 		30th 197 [36]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2023 Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Toyota DAY PHO
13* 		TAL KAN CLT BLN
1 		ELK
2 		MOH
2 		IOW
2* 		POC MCH IRP
4 		GLN
4 		ISF
5 		MLW
1* 		DSF
5 		KAN BRI
1 		SLM
6 		TOL
1* 		8th 558 [37]
2024 DAY PHO
1* 		TAL DOV
17* 		KAN CLT IOW
2 		MOH
1 		BLN
1* 		IRP
3 		SLM
1** 		ELK
1* 		MCH ISF
1* 		MLW
1* 		DSF
2 		GLN
2 		BRI
1* 		KAN TOL
1* 		10th 689 [38]

ARCA Menards Series East

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ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 AMSEC Pts Ref
2023 Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Toyota FIF
1** 		DOV
4 		NSV
2* 		FRS
1 		IOW
2* 		IRP
4 		MLW
1* 		BRI
1 		1st 420 [39]
2024 FIF
2* 		DOV
17* 		NSV
1* 		FRS
2 		IOW
2 		IRP
3 		MLW
1* 		BRI
1* 		1st 402 [40]

ARCA Menards Series West

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ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 AMSWC Pts Ref
2023 Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Toyota PHO
13* 		IRW KCR PIR
4 		SON
5 		IRW SHA EVG AAS LVS MAD PHO
1* 		15th 162 [41]
2024 PHO
1* 		KER PIR
1* 		SON
4 		IRW IRW SHA TRI MAD AAS KER PHO
2 		16th 181 [42]

References

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  1. ^ a b Sawalich, William. "ABOUT - William Sawalich Racing". William Sawalich Racing. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Sherman, John (September 24, 2020). "William Sawalich - Elko's rising star". SUN Current. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  3. ^ "(RACE RECAP) August 22, 2020". August 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Marquis, Andy (June 20, 2021). "William Sawalich Scores First Career Pro Late Model Victory at Carteret County". Short Track Scene. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  5. ^ "William Sawalich dominates CARS PLM Tour feature of Keen Parts 200 at Tri-County Motor Speedway". CARS Racing Tour. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  6. ^ "Chad McCumbee, William Sawalich Win from Pole in Tuff Shed 250 at Hickory Motor Speedway". CARS Racing Tour. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  7. ^ "Jonathan Shafer scores dominant first victory at Ace Speedway; William Sawalich wins third straight PLM event". CARS Racing Tour. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  8. ^ "Deac McCaskill, William Sawalich victorious in Fluid Logic 225 at Motor Mile Speedway". CARS Racing Tour. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  9. ^ White, Brandon (September 10, 2022). "Garcia Ends Sawalich Streak in Controversial Fashion". Racing America. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  10. ^ "Sawalich Becomes Youngest All American 400 Winner in History". Speedway Digest. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  11. ^ Fenwick, Adam (December 9, 2022). "William Sawalich joins Joe Gibbs Racing for 20-race ARCA schedule in 2023 and beyond". ARCA. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Christie, Toby (March 25, 2023). "William Sawalich Leads Wire-to-Wire to Score Win in ARCA East Debut at Five Flags". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  13. ^ Branscum, Benjamine (May 13, 2023). "Luke Fenhaus Steals Music City 200 Victory from William Sawalich in Overtime". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  14. ^ Fenwick, Adam (May 20, 2023). "William Sawalich masters Flat Rock Speedway for second East Series victory of 2023". ARCA. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  15. ^ White, Brandon (June 17, 2023). "The streak ends: William Sawalich snatches victory from Jesse Love at Berlin Raceway". ARCA. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "Toyota driver William Sawalich wins 2023 ARCA East championship". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  17. ^ "Joe Gibbs Racing resets with William Sawalich for ARCA program in 2024, adds Tanner Gray". December 13, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  18. ^ Brandon White (March 8, 2024). "William Sawalich earns redemption with rain-shortened victory at Phoenix". Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  19. ^ Yash Soni (March 24, 2024). "Full race results of NASCAR ARCA Menards Series East at Five Flags Speedway". Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  20. ^ Calloni, Josh (April 26, 2024). "William Sawalich on Pole for ARCA at Dover". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  21. ^ Augustin, Amman (April 26, 2024). "Joe Gibbs' Monster Mile Polesitter Falls Off at Dover After Heartbreaking Tango With Trackhouse Racing's Prodigy". EssentiallySports.com. EssentiallySports. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  22. ^ Srigley, Joseph (May 11, 2024). "William Sawalich Earns Redemption with Dominant Win at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  23. ^ Branscum, Benjamine (May 31, 2024). "Sawalich Parks It In The Pacific Northwest, Wins The Portland 112". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  24. ^ "William Sawalich wins 2024 ARCA East championship". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  25. ^ "William Sawalich competing in 6 races for TRICON Garage in 2023". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. January 19, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  26. ^ Massie, Michael (April 15, 2023). "16-Year-Old William Sawalich Earns Top 10 in Truck Series Debut". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  27. ^ Srigley, Joseph (December 21, 2023). "William Sawalich to Contest Nine-Race Truck Series Campaign in TRICON No. 1". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  28. ^ Srigley, Joseph (October 4, 2024). "Talladega Pole Makes William Sawalich Fourth-Youngest Truck Series Polesitter". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  29. ^ Kishore R (December 13, 2023). "17 Year Old ARCA Champ William Sawalich Pens His Excitement for Making His Xfinity Series Debut". www.essentiallysports.com. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  30. ^ Christie, Toby (November 9, 2024). "William Sawalich Secures NASCAR Xfinity Pole at Phoenix". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  31. ^ "William Sawalich moving to Xfinity Series full time in 2025 with Joe Gibbs Racing". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 21, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  32. ^ Tindera, Michela (June 12, 2018). "Runaway Billionaire: Meet The CEO Whose Company Descended Into Fraud, Embezzlement and Betrayal". Forbes. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  33. ^ "KHI Management". KHI Management. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  34. ^ "William Sawalich – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  35. ^ "William Sawalich – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  36. ^ "William Sawalich – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  37. ^ "William Sawalich – 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  38. ^ "William Sawalich – 2024 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  39. ^ "William Sawalich – 2023 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  40. ^ "William Sawalich – 2024 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  41. ^ "William Sawalich – 2023 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  42. ^ "William Sawalich – 2024 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
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