Long before Toyota driver William Sawalich sat in the driver’s seat on a racetrack, he was just a little boy with a passion for racing.
“I first started racing when I was 9 years old,” he says. “I have always naturally been drawn to cars, and I have been a competitive person my whole life. I enjoyed moving up the ranks and honing my craft.”
* Trademarks shown are those of their respective owners.
At 19 years old, this Minnesotan Xfinity Series rookie driver has already built an impressive resume. Sawalich holds the distinction of being the first driver from his home state to secure a NASCAR® championship, which he won back in 2023 in the ARCA Menard Series. With 2025 being his first full-time NASCAR® season, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has managed to earn three top five finishes and nine top-10 finishes.
Lessons From Every Race
Though groundbreaking accomplishments often grab the spotlight, Sawalich doesn’t allow them to diminish the importance of his other competitions.
“I feel that every race is a defining moment in my career since every race is a learning experience and a way to get better,” he says. “I have several favorite wins and moments from my career, but those moments don’t make up my whole career.”
Gearing Up For The Finish Line
* Trademarks shown are those of their respective owners.
Accomplishing those milestones and professional highlights doesn’t come easy. They take a lot of hard work, sacrifice and, of course, studying.
“My goals for this season are to learn and apply my lessons learned on the track by being a student of the sport,” he says.
In addition to those new goals, Sawalich also relies on fitness professionals to keep him in tip-top shape. He adds, “With the help of the great trainers at TPC, I can always be physically ready to hit the track.”
Fueled By Collective Forces
Getting Sawalich ready to tackle the track is a collective effort. Beyond his mental and physical preparation, Sawalich’s family and the Toyota Driver Development (TD2) team form the crucial support system he relies on and credits.
“My family has always been there for me in my racing career, and I wouldn’t be able to do the things I need to do to make up my career without them,” he says. “In the racing community, there are countless people that have helped me progress through the ranks to get to this point in my career.”
He adds, “TD2 has helped boost the process of my development on and off the track. I am grateful to all the men and women who have helped with that.”
Originally published November 25, 2025
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