The 2025 ARCA Menards Series West Portland 112 concluded with an impressive win by William Sawlaich, the 18-year-old driver from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The eighth race of the series took place on Friday, August 29, at Portland International Raceway, featuring 18 competitors. Sawlaich managed to pull ahead of Thomas Annunziata with five laps to go, securing first place in a commanding fashion.
A Commanding Performance Seals Sawlaich’s Second Straight Win
Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, Sawlaich crossed the finish line 8.703 seconds ahead of Annunziata. This victory marked Sawlaich’s second consecutive win at Portland’s 1.967-mile road course and his fifth career triumph in the ARCA West Series. His strong performance reinforced his presence as a rising star in the 2025 season.
“Just good, hard racing there. That lapped car slowed us up, that momentum didn’t work out, and he got the worst end of it.” —William Sawlaich, Driver
Close Competition Behind the Leader
Thomas Annunziata finished in second place, maintaining a competitive pace throughout the race. He acknowledged the challenge posed by the Joe Gibbs car and the intense racing environment. Following Annunziata, the top five were rounded out by Alon Day, Greg Biffle, and Trevor Huddleston.
“We were fast; we were just not quite with the Joe Gibbs car yet. It was hard racing at the end, I have nothing to say. I would probably do the same thing in that situation.” —Thomas Annunziata, Driver
Full Top Ten Finishers at the Portland 112
The drivers completing the top ten included Kyle Keller in sixth place, followed by Dale Quarterley, Caleb Shrader, Eric Johnson Jr., and Tanner Reif. The race highlighted a mix of emerging talent and experienced racers competing closely throughout the event.
Looking Ahead to the Next ARCA Menards Series West Race
The competition in the 2025 ARCA Menards Series West continues as the next race is scheduled for September 13 at All American Speedway. The Portland 112 win strengthens William Sawlaich’s momentum as the season moves forward, setting the stage for exciting battles in the upcoming races.
