William Sawalich narrowly missed claiming his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory on Saturday, September 6, at World Wide Technology Raceway, finishing second behind Connor Zilisch of JR Motorsports. Despite this strong showing, Sawalich, a rookie driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, will not qualify for the playoffs this season but remains optimistic about his future prospects.
After the race, Sawalich expressed his determination and confidence, stating,
“Didn’t make the playoffs but we certainly gave them a run for their money. We had long-run speed, short-run speed. They gave me a really good car. There’s always next year.”
—William Sawalich, Driver
The top five finishers included Christian Eckes, Brandon Jones, and Jesse Love following Zilisch and Sawalich. Former NASCAR Cup Series competitor Aric Almirola, Daniel Hemric, Parker Retzlaff, Corey Day, and Daniel Dye completed the top ten in the race.
Current Standings and Season Highlights for William Sawalich
Currently ranked 17th overall with 521 points, William Sawalich has competed in 26 races this year. The 2023 ARCA Menards Series East champion has recorded three top-five finishes and eight top-10s in addition to securing a pole position at Nashville Superspeedway on June 1, 2025. Throughout the season, he has led 49 laps and maintains an average finishing position of 19.692.
Although Sawalich has yet to secure his first win in the Xfinity Series, seven races remain where he can achieve this milestone. His next challenge will be the upcoming Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway, scheduled for Friday, September 12. The 300-lap event will be broadcast live on CW at 7:30 pm ET, with exclusive radio coverage provided by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
William Sawalich’s Vision for His Racing Career
Like many rookies in the Xfinity Series, Sawalich aspires to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, the 18-year-old driver acknowledges the importance of pacing his career to avoid prolonged stagnation in the Xfinity ranks. In a previous interview with The Daytona Beach News Journal, Sawalich elaborated on his approach to advancement.
He said,
“The biggest thing is you don’t want to rush it. But whenever you feel ready or the opportunity comes up, you definitely want to take it; you don’t want to pass it up.”
—William Sawalich, Driver
He further added,
“That’s happened to a few people so you want to avoid that. You want to get to your goal as fast as possible but also take the right steps.”
—William Sawalich, Driver
Sawalich, originally signed by Joe Gibbs Racing in 2022, is expected to continue driving their #18 Toyota through 2025. Along with his Xfinity participation, he competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, including East and West divisions, maintaining strong ties with the Charlotte-based team.
Upcoming Opportunities and What Lies Ahead
William Sawalich’s second-place finish at World Wide Technology Raceway signals his growing competitiveness in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, even as he faces the disappointment of missing out on this year’s playoffs. With multiple races left in the season, Sawalich remains focused on capturing his first career Xfinity win and strengthening his driver standings.
As the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway approaches, Sawalich will have another chance to showcase his talent and build momentum heading into the next season. His steady progress and careful career planning suggest a promising future for the young driver from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, as he aims for eventual success in the NASCAR Cup Series.
