American racing driver
NASCAR driver
William Sawalich
(born October 3, 2006) is an American professional
stock car racing
driver. He competes full-time in the
ARCA Menards Series East
, part-time in the
ARCA Menards Series
and
ARCA Menards Series West
, driving the No. 18
Toyota Camry
for
Joe Gibbs Racing
, part-time in the
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
, driving the No. 1
Toyota Tundra
for
Tricon Garage
, and part-time in the
NASCAR Xfinity Series
, driving the No. 19
Toyota Supra
for JGR. He is the
2023 ARCA Menards Series East
champion.
Racing career
[
edit
]
Early career
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
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
[
edit
]
On December 9, 2022, it was announced that Sawalich will 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]
Swawlich 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]
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]
NASCAR Truck Series
[
edit
]
On January 19, 2023, it was announced that Sawalich will join
Tricon Garage
for six races in the
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
, making his debut in the series.
[23]
He made his debut at
Martinsville Speedway
, finishing ninth after running near the top ten for most of the race.
[24]
After earning three top tens in 2023, Tricon announced that Sawalich would returning to the No. 1 team in 2024, this time with an expanded nine race schedule.
[25]
Sawalich would start his season with a 21st place finish at
Bristol
, along with a 26th place finish at
Martinsville
.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
[
edit
]
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. He will be sharing the ride with
Ryan Truex
,
Joe Graf Jr.
,
Taylor Gray
,
Aric Almirola
, and
Ty Gibbs
.
[26]
Personal life
[
edit
]
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
.
[27]
He has a sister, Amelia, who is in a relationship with fellow
NASCAR Xfinity Series
driver
Sam Mayer
.
He is currently an online student at
Liberty University Online Academy
, and is a client of
KHI Management
.
[28]
Motorsports career results
[
edit
]
NASCAR
[
edit
]
(
key
) (
Bold
? Pole position awarded by qualifying time.
Italics
? Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * ? Most laps led.
)
Xfinity Series
[
edit
]
Craftsman Truck Series
[
edit
]
ARCA Menards Series
[
edit
]
(
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 East
[
edit
]
ARCA Menards Series West
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
Sawalich, William.
"ABOUT - William Sawalich Racing"
.
William Sawalich Racing
. Retrieved
December 9,
2022
.
- ^
Sherman, John (September 24, 2020).
"William Sawalich - Elko's rising star"
.
SUN Current
. Retrieved
December 9,
2022
.
- ^
"(RACE RECAP) August 22, 2020"
. 29 August 2020.
- ^
Marquis, Andy (June 20, 2021).
"William Sawalich Scores First Career Pro Late Model Victory at Carteret County"
.
Short Track Scene
. Retrieved
December 9,
2022
.
- ^
"William Sawalich dominates CARS PLM Tour feature of Keen Parts 200 at Tri-County Motor Speedway"
.
CARS Racing Tour
. Retrieved
December 9,
2022
.
- ^
"Chad McCumbee, William Sawalich Win from Pole in Tuff Shed 250 at Hickory Motor Speedway"
.
CARS Racing Tour
. Retrieved
December 9,
2022
.
- ^
"Jonathan Shafer scores dominant first victory at Ace Speedway; William Sawalich wins third straight PLM event"
.
CARS Racing Tour
. Retrieved
December 9,
2022
.
- ^
"Deac McCaskill, William Sawalich victorious in Fluid Logic 225 at Motor Mile Speedway"
.
CARS Racing Tour
. Retrieved
December 9,
2022
.
- ^
White, Brandon (September 10, 2022).
"Garcia Ends Sawalich Streak in Controversial Fashion"
.
Racing America
. Retrieved
December 9,
2022
.
- ^
"Sawalich Becomes Youngest All American 400 Winner in History"
.
Speedway Digest
. November 5, 2023
. Retrieved
November 6,
2023
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
Branscum, Benjamine (May 13, 2023).
"Luke Fenhaus Steals Music City 200 Victory from William Sawalich in Overtime"
.
TobyChristie.com
. Retrieved
June 13,
2023
.
- ^
Fenwick, Adam (May 20, 2023).
"William Sawalich masters Flat Rock Speedway for second East Series victory of 2023"
.
ARCA
. Retrieved
June 13,
2023
.
- ^
White, Brandon (June 17, 2023).
"The streak ends: William Sawalich snatches victory from Jesse Love at Berlin Raceway"
.
ARCA
. Retrieved
June 18,
2023
.
- ^
"Toyota driver William Sawalich wins 2023 ARCA East championship"
.
Jayski's Silly Season Site
. NASCAR Digital Media. September 14, 2023
. Retrieved
September 15,
2023
.
- ^
"Joe Gibbs Racing resets with William Sawalich for ARCA program in 2024, adds Tanner Gray"
. December 13, 2023
. Retrieved
March 30,
2024
.
- ^
Brandon White (March 8, 2024).
"William Sawalich earns redemption with rain-shortened victory at Phoenix"
. Retrieved
March 30,
2024
.
- ^
Yash Soni (March 24, 2024).
"Full race results of NASCAR ARCA Menards Series East at Five Flags Speedway"
. Retrieved
March 30,
2024
.
- ^
Calloni, Josh (April 26, 2024).
"William Sawalich on Pole for ARCA at Dover"
.
Frontstretch.com
. Retrieved
May 15,
2024
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
Srigley, Joseph (May 11, 2024).
"William Sawalich Earns Redemption with Dominant Win at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway"
.
TobyChristie.com
. Retrieved
May 15,
2024
.
- ^
"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
.
- ^
Massie, Michael (April 15, 2023).
"16-Year-Old William Sawalich Earns Top 10 in Truck Series Debut"
.
Frontstretch.com
. Retrieved
June 13,
2023
.
- ^
Srigley, Joseph (December 21, 2023).
"William Sawalich to Contest Nine-Race Truck Series Campaign in TRICON No. 1"
.
TobyChristie.com
. Retrieved
December 21,
2023
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
Tindera, Michela (June 12, 2018).
"Runaway Billionaire: Meet The CEO Whose Company Descended Into Fraud, Embezzlement and Betrayal"
.
Forbes
. Retrieved
July 29,
2023
.
- ^
"KHI Management"
.
KHI Management
. Retrieved
October 13,
2023
.
- ^
"William Sawalich ? 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results"
.
Racing-Reference
. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC
. Retrieved
April 15,
2023
.
- ^
"William Sawalich ? 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results"
.
Racing-Reference
. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC
. Retrieved
March 16,
2024
.
- ^
"William Sawalich ? 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results"
.
Racing-Reference
. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC
. Retrieved
March 26,
2023
.
- ^
"William Sawalich ? 2024 ARCA Menards Series Results"
.
Racing-Reference
. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC
. Retrieved
March 8,
2024
.
- ^
"William Sawalich ? 2023 ARCA Menards Series East Results"
.
Racing-Reference
. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC
. Retrieved
March 26,
2023
.
- ^
"William Sawalich ? 2024 ARCA Menards Series East Results"
.
Racing-Reference
. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC
. Retrieved
March 20,
2024
.
- ^
"William Sawalich ? 2023 ARCA Menards Series West Results"
.
Racing-Reference
. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC
. Retrieved
March 26,
2023
.
- ^
"William Sawalich ? 2024 ARCA Menards Series West Results"
.
Racing-Reference
. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC
. Retrieved
March 8,
2024
.
External links
[
edit
]
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Personnel
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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
| Drivers
| |
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Crew chiefs
|
- (1)
Seth Smith
- (5)
Derek Smith
- (11)
Scott Zipadelli
- (15)
Jerame Donley
- (17)
Jeff Hensley
|
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|
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Former drivers
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ARCA Menards Series East Championships
| |
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Partnerships and affiliations
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Buyouts and mergers
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Formerly known as DGR-Crosley and David Gilliland Racing
|