NASCAR Cup Series
Rough Start to the Round of 8 for Three Playoff Contenders
Oct 21, 2024
As expected, two-time ARCA Menards Series East champion William Sawalich will join the NASCAR Xfinity Series program of Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025.
Sawalich, who is set to debut in the second-tier series at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, will pilot the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra on a full-time basis in 2025.
Starkey/SoundGear, a long-time supporter of Sawalich's efforts in NASCAR's National Series and across the ARCA Menards Series, will serve as the anchor partner of the entry next season.
”I am honored to be driving the No. 18 full-time in the Xfinity Series next year,” Sawalich said. ”It has been really cool to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing, and I feel like I have developed so much as a driver over the past two years. I still have a lot to learn, especially with moving to a new series, so I am looking forward to taking this next step in racing.”
The 18-year-old native of Minnesota has achieved remarkable success as part of the Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota development programs, scoring 18 wins across the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA East Series, and ARCA West Series.
Earlier this month at Talladega Superspeedway, Sawalich collected his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pole driving the No. 1 for TRICON Garage -- making him the fourth youngest polesitter in series history.
Sawalich is set to join the winningest team in NASCAR Xfinity Series history next season, which has amassed 214 wins in the second-tier series, including a series-leading 10 this season. Since the team's inception, 23 drivers have taken the organization to victory lane in the Xfinity Series, 14 of which claimed their first wins with the team.
"We are thrilled to announce William's promotion to the next stage of his racing career with us," said Steve de Souza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development at JGR. "His outstanding record of victories and development over the past two years shows he’s ready for the Xfinity Series. We’re confident he’ll remain a strong contender for wins as he takes on this new challenge in 2025."
Saturday's Xfinity Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway will mark the first time Sawalich tackles an intermediate racetrack in any vehicle. He'll do so while driving the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra.
Brandon Jones is set to return to the organization next season, while current NASCAR Truck Series regular Taylor Gray will drive the No. 54 Toyota GR Supra next season.
Additional announcements surrounding personnel for Sawalich's No. 18 Toyota GR Supra entry, and the remainder of Joe Gibbs Racing's driver lineup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series will come at a later date.
Photo Credit: Ben Branscum | TobyChristie.com
