Toledo Speedway

BRISTOL, TN. — Trailing Connor Zilisch by 16 points in the ARCA Menards Series East championship entering the Bush’s Beans 200, the strategy was clear for Eden Prairie, Minnesota native William Sawalich as he stepped foot inside Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday morning.

“It’s the same mindset as last year,” Sawalich said before the green flag. “There’s nothing special to this. It’s just another race.”

The circumstances on Thursday were completely different for Sawalich compared to 2023 when he entered Bristol with the points lead. With Zilisch earning the pole for the Bush’s Beans 200 and gaining a crucial bonus point, he needed to finish 13^th or better to usurp Sawalich for the East Series title.

Sawalich had to use every ounce of skill he ascertained in a stock car while simultaneously having luck fall his way to add another East Series championship on his growing resume. As fate would have it, Sawalich ended up benefitting from both.

While holding the lead early in the Bush’s Beans 200, disaster nearly struck for Sawalich as he narrowly avoided the wrecked car of Logan Misuraca in turns 3 and 4, who proceeded to slide down the track and collect Zilisch. The damage proved to be too severe for Zilisch to continue, effectively shifting momentum in Sawalich’s favor.

After watching his season-long rival’s night come to a premature end in his rearview mirror, Sawalich knew he could not deviate from his pre-race mindset. He had to finish his night, and year strong.

Perseverance paid off for Sawalich. He kept his car in one piece to celebrate both a victory and a second straight East Series championship with his Joe Gibbs Racing crew.

“I just tried to win the race the whole time,” Sawalich said. “I did what I could do to win it, which was to gain maximum points. It all ended up going pretty well for us.”

In one moment, all the damage Sawalich had sustained from the second race of the East Series campaign at Dover Motor Speedway was undone.

An intense battle for the lead between the two young prospects at Dover culminated with Sawalich crashing hard into the outside retaining wall after contact from Zilisch, who ended up securing his first East Series checkered flag. Neither driver knew it at the time, but this one incident set the tone for their respective 2024 seasons.

Sawalich racked up numerous victories in the national ARCA Menards Series, but no matter what he tried, Zilisch remained one step ahead of him in the East Series standings. Prior to Bristol, Zilisch had four East Series wins compared to Sawalich’s two, all while never recording a single finish outside the top five.

Having Zilisch as a rival has tested Sawalich both physically and mentally throughout the season. He appreciates what he feels has been aggressive, but fair racing with Zilisch, adding he has seen him grow through every battle with Zilisch.

“We race each other [equally],” Sawalich said. “If I bump him, he’ll bump me back. We kind of pay each other back like how I feel we should. It’s good racing and it drives me to be better. That’s what I need.”

Composing himself for the East Series finale at Bristol required Sawalich to compartmentalize his situation. The deficit he faced was substantial, but Sawalich believed the efficiency he and Gibbs displayed across the ARCA Menards Series platform in 2024 could get them to Victory Lane, outside factors would have to assist him in the points battle.

The setback from Dover also weighed on Sawalich’s mind as he made final preparations for the Bush’s Beans 200. He was upset over how that race unfolded, yet he used the frustration to motivate him for one final attack on Zilisch’s advantage.

“Dover kind of fired me up for the rest of [2024],” Sawalich said. “There was a lot of perseverance and I can’t thank these guys enough. A lot of hard work was put in throughout the season to get to this point.”

With everything falling Sawalich’s way to enjoy both a win and a championship at Bristol, he continued a gold standard of efficiency that has followed the No. 18 team since they first appeared on the ARCA Menards Series platform.

The last four East Series championships have all been claimed by a driver who piloted the No. 18 Toyota, which has been shared between Gibbs and the now defunct Kyle Busch Motorsports. After Sammy Smith claimed two consecutive titles of his own in 2021 and 2022, Sawalich has since successfully kept the No. 18 atop the East Series standings.

Zilisch appeared poised to end the No. 18’s dominance with a stellar campaign driving for Pinnacle Racing Group. With misfortunate befalling Zilisch, Sawalich capitalized on the opportunity to deliver a championship-caliber driver and tack on another major achievement at just 17 years old.

The 2024 season has taught Sawalich plenty of valuable lessons when it comes to patience and overcoming adversity. Nothing came easy for Sawalich during the eight-race East Series schedule, which is why he is proud of everything his team accomplished to reach the top of the pedestal once again.

“This is really cool,” Sawalich said. “I don’t really know of what to think of all this. I’m really happy but also speechless. This adds to my resume and also adds to my confidence no matter where I go. I’m sure this is all going to sink in.”

Thursday might have just been another race for Sawalich, but it encapsulated all his best traits that made him a champion on the ARCA Menards Series platform, which will continue to follow him no matter what avenue he pursues in motorsports going forward.

The ARCA Menards Series comes to Toledo on October 5th to wrap up the national series schedule, completing a daunting calendar through the 2024 season. You can get tickets NOW for the Owens Corning 200 by clicking the link below, or going to local Menards locations to save $10 on tickets.

Owens Corning 200 | ARCA Menards Series + Valley Truck Centers Outlaw Super Late Models

October 05, 2024

Toledo Speedway

Toledo, OH

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