Carson Brown Wins After William Sawalich DQ in New Smyrna World Series SLM Opener

Carson Brown has been declared the winner of the first Super Late Model feature of the 59th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway, following the disqualification of William Sawalich during post-race technical inspection.

Sawalich took the checkered flag in the race after a battle with Cole Butcher for the top spot on a late restart. The two cars made contact in turn three with five laps to go, both sliding up the race track. Sawalich was able to power away out front, while Brown and Griffith passed Butcher as he fought for control on the high side of the circuit.

However, during post-race inspection, Sawalich was disqualified for exceeding maximum tread width on the front tires. This turned the win over to Brown, his first in the Super Late Model division in the World Series of Asphalt. Brown won a 35-lap Pro Late Model feature on the second night of the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.

While Friday's race was one of the first - if not the first - race of 2025 for many drivers in the field, Brown has stayed plenty busy in the opening months of the year. The past three nights, he has been at Ocala Speedway competing in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series as part of a robust dirt schedule along with his pavement efforts.

He'll be back at Ocala on Saturday night before climbing back in the pavement Super Late Model on Sunday night at New Smyrna.

Butcher recovered to officially finish second, passing Griffith in the final laps. Griffith finished third, followed by George Phillips and Conner Jones.

The Super Late Models have Saturday night off, as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour takes center stage on the second evening of the World Series. The division will compete on "Super Sunday," February 9 in a 35-lap sprint.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy

Unofficial Results
Super Late Model 59