MARTINSVILLE, Va.: Friday night’s Long John Silver’s 200 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway was a huge night for TRICON Garage.
With Corey Heim scoring his third NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory and first of the 2023 season, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team answered the seventh race of the season by producing four top-10 finishes overall.
In addition to Heim’s victory – the first under the team’s new banner, mainstay driver Tanner Gray finished fifth, while Taylor Gray finished seventh and newcomer William Sawalich claimed ninth in his Truck Series debut.
For Sawalich, the driver of the No. 1 Starkey | Soundgear Toyota Tundra Pro finish in the rain-shortened race was more impressive after the rookie was knocked around in a late-race restart that briefly shuffled him outside the top-10.
However, a strong truck, powerful restarts and a patient driver collectively paved the way for Sawalich to wrestle back through the pack to a satisfying finish and perhaps set the tone for his limited schedule in the team’s fifth Truck Series entry.
The Eden Prairie, Minn. native recently announced earlier this year a 20-race ARCA slate with Joe Gibbs Racing, including plans to pursue the ARCA Menards Series East championship. Building a presence in the short track ranks over the past few seasons, many weren’t surprised by his efforts on Friday night.
Sawalich had an impressive 2022 campaign with six victories in CARS Tour Pro Late Model action, while also collecting three Late Model stock wins and two Southern Super Series wins and that’s just the icing on the cake.
With a strong presence in his NASCAR debut on Thursday night, it appears evident that his remaining five Truck Series races on the schedule could put him the teenager in contention to bring the David Gilliland-led team another checkered flag.
“I am excited to work with the Gray and Gilliland families and everyone at TRICON,” said Sawalich early in 2023. “I know that the team will put forth a great effort to make sure that we have the best equipment and best teams around us.
“2023 is going to be a huge year for my growth between ARCA and Trucks, and I am confident that I will learn a lot and be able to perfect my craft as a Toyota development driver here.”
Sawalich returns to the ARCA Menards Series East scene with Joe Gibbs Racing at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway on April 28.
He won’t return to the TRICON truck until July at Mid-Ohio Sports Course and continuing with races during the summer months at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, the Milwaukee Mile and Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in September.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at: [email protected]
