In a move that signals the dawn of an exciting new chapter in NASCAR, Joe Gibbs Racing has announced that 18-year-old phenom William Sawalich will drive the team’s No. 18 Toyota full-time in the Xfinity Series starting in 2025. The signing of Sawalich, a native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a major coup for JGR as they look to bolster their driver development pipeline and position themselves for success in the years to come.
A Rising Star Catches the Eye of a Powerhouse Team
William Sawalich may be young, but he’s already making waves in the world of NASCAR. In just 13 starts in the Craftsman Truck Series with Tricon Garage, the teenage sensation has captured three top-10 finishes and a pole position at the notoriously challenging Talladega Superspeedway. Those impressive performances caught the attention of the iconic Joe Gibbs Racing organization, who wasted no time in inking Sawalich to a deal.
“I am honored to be driving the No. 18 full-time in the Xfinity Series next year,” Sawalich said in a JGR release. “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.”
Despite his rapid rise, Sawalich remains humble and eager to learn. “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,” he acknowledged. That combination of raw talent and coachability is what makes Sawalich such an enticing prospect for JGR.
Joining Forces with Another Young Gun
Sawalich won’t be the only fresh face in the JGR Xfinity stable next season. He’ll be teaming up with Taylor Gray, another rising star who will pilot the No. 54 Toyota. The pairing of Sawalich and Gray gives Joe Gibbs Racing a formidable one-two punch of youthful skill and potential star power as they aim to dominate NASCAR’s second-tier series.
“We are thrilled to announce William’s promotion to the next stage of his racing career with us,” said Steve de Souza, JGR’s Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development. “His outstanding record of victories and development over the past two years shows he’s ready for the Xfinity Series.”
De Souza’s words carry weight, as Joe Gibbs Racing has a long history of nurturing young talent and transforming promising prospects into NASCAR superstars. If they believe Sawalich has what it takes, it’s a strong indicator that he’s destined for big things.
The Pressure Cooker of the Xfinity Series
Of course, success in the Craftsman Truck Series doesn’t automatically translate to the Xfinity Series. The competition is fiercer, the races are longer, and the pressure is cranked up to eleven. Sawalich will need to adapt quickly to the increased demands of his new ride.
But if anyone is equipped to handle the challenge, it’s William Sawalich. His meteoric rise through the ranks of NASCAR’s developmental series has showcased not only his immense talent behind the wheel, but also his poise and maturity beyond his years. Those qualities will serve him well as he navigates the high-stakes world of the Xfinity Series.
“William has shown time and again that he has the skills, the mindset, and the determination to succeed at the highest levels of this sport,” a source close to the Sawalich camp revealed. “He’s not intimidated by the spotlight or the pressure. He thrives on it.”
A Bright Future Ahead
As William Sawalich prepares to take the next step in his NASCAR journey, the future looks incredibly bright for this rising star. With the backing of a powerhouse team like Joe Gibbs Racing and a skill set that belies his young age, Sawalich has all the tools necessary to make a major impact in the Xfinity Series and beyond.
NASCAR fans, take note: William Sawalich is a name you’ll be hearing a lot in the coming years. This young man is poised to take the sport by storm, and his full-time Xfinity Series ride with JGR in 2025 is just the beginning. Buckle up and get ready for the William Sawalich era – it promises to be one hell of a ride.
