From ARCA Star to Xfinity Hopeful: William Sawalich’s Meteoric Rise
Heading into the 2024 season, William Sawalich was considered a promising but unproven prospect in NASCAR circles. Despite showing flashes of talent in 2023, his age limited him from competing at tracks longer than one mile. However, 2024 proved to be the defining season for the Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native.
In a dominant campaign, Sawalich secured nine wins in 14 ARCA Menards Series starts, boasting an extraordinary average finish of 2.5 and only one finish outside the top three. While driving for a strong team, his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure cemented his status as a rising star in the sport.
“In modern NASCAR, where young talent is scouted from a very early age, standing out has become tougher than ever,” noted an industry insider. Yet, Sawalich has managed to distinguish himself as one to watch.
Positioned for a Breakout in the Xfinity Series
As Sawalich prepares to join the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series, he enters one of the most competitive rookie classes in the series’ history. Among his peers are:
- Daniel Dye, a 2024 Craftsman Truck Series playoff driver
- Connor Zilisch, who won in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen
- Carson Kvapil, a short-track standout
- Christian Eckes, a Craftsman Truck Series Championship 4 contender
- Taylor Gray and Nick Sanchez, both Truck Series playoff drivers
In ARCA, Sawalich often dominated fields, with Connor Zilisch as his primary rival. But in the Xfinity Series, he’ll face a deeper pool of talent, including 2024 champion Justin Allgaier, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Sheldon Creed, and Sam Mayer.
Sawalich has already shown flashes of potential in limited Xfinity starts in 2024, including securing the pole at Phoenix. Though he didn’t post standout finishes, he kept his car clean and avoided major errors, demonstrating maturity rare for his age.
Realistic Expectations for 2025
While no one expects Sawalich to contend for the championship in his rookie season, multiple trips to victory lane wouldn’t be surprising. Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, he’ll be part of a unique lineup featuring veteran Brandon Jones, rookie Taylor Gray, and a rotating “All-Star” car likely shared by Cup Series stars, including Aric Almirola, who won three Xfinity races for JGR in 2024.
A successful rookie season for Sawalich would likely involve outperforming teammates Jones and Gray in the points standings. As of now, Connor Zilisch and Christian Eckes are considered favorites for the Rookie of the Year award, but Sawalich could join the conversation by midseason.
Despite having less Xfinity experience than some of his peers, Sawalich has shown an ability to adapt and excel quickly, as he proved during his ARCA campaign.
A Star in the Making
Whether as a favorite or underdog, William Sawalich has consistently risen to the occasion. His calm demeanor, raw talent, and impressive results suggest he could be one of NASCAR’s future stars. With his rookie season in the Xfinity Series just around the corner, Sawalich is poised to begin his journey toward superstardom in 2025.
