William Sawalich, celebrated for his remarkable ARCA win at Sonoma Raceway, revealed that his finish at Elko Speedway last year was just as intense and closely contested as the dramatic three-wide finish he experienced in Sonoma. This comparison highlights Sawalich’s emerging reputation for excelling under pressure in tightly fought races.
At Sonoma Raceway, Sawalich demonstrated exceptional skill and calmness in a thrilling final lap where he raced side-by-side with two competitors, creating a memorable three-wide finish that captivated fans. The closing seconds of that race were the closest in the track’s history, with Sawalich edging out the competition by a mere 0.066 seconds.
This victory not only marked a personal triumph for Sawalich but also broke a 37-year-old record held by his mentor, Kevin Harvick, whose closest finish at Sonoma was 0.154 seconds back in 1998. The win illustrated Sawalich’s maturity and racecraft, qualities that continue to fuel his momentum as he develops within NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
Reflecting on his Elko race experience, Sawalich told Speedway Digest:
“Yes, Elko last year. I think it was the closest I could finish. I don’t really know, but that was a good finish. This was a little more dramatic than it needed to be for sure. I think his nose was at my door, so I knew I had it, as long as I didn’t do something stupid.” —William Sawalich
Insights on Sawalich’s Atlanta Race and Truck Performance
Earlier in the 2025 season, at the Atlanta Motor Speedway race in February, Sawalich openly admitted that his #1 Chevrolet Silverado, fielded by TRICON Garage, was not performing at its best. Starting in 22nd position, he had climbed to around 15th place with 62 laps remaining before a multi-truck accident abruptly ended his run on lap 78.
The crash unfolded when Rajah Caruth lost control and hit the wall, causing chaos that forced Sawalich to take evasive action by moving to the apron. Unfortunately, he was struck from behind by Tyler Ankrum’s #18 truck, ending his race prematurely. Despite the challenging day, Sawalich remained focused on learning and improvement for upcoming events.
He explained to ABC45 News:
“We were slow, we were not good… But yeah, we’ve got a few things to figure out for the #1 truck but, yeah, I guess we’ll figure it out in Vegas.” —William Sawalich
“I definitely wasn’t past it yet (the chaos from Caruth’s crash) but I think the 18 just took me… it is what it is. We weren’t having the greatest day out there but we were making the most of it and that’s all that matters, and just learning for the next race.” —William Sawalich
The Growing Legacy of William Sawalich in NASCAR
William Sawalich’s ability to perform under pressure, as seen in both the Elko and Sonoma races, positions him as a rising star within ARCA and NASCAR’s development series. His record-breaking victory at Sonoma adds to a pattern of resilience and tactical racing, signaling a promising path forward in his career.
With lessons learned from setbacks like the incident at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Sawalich’s continued focus and adaptation will be key as he prepares for future races, including the upcoming event in Vegas. His performances so far have not only entertained fans but also proved his capacity to contend in close and dramatic battles on the track.
