William Sawalich wins ARCA race at Bristol, clinches East championship over Connor Zilisch

Tonight the ARCA East championship came down to William Sawalich and Connor Zilisch with the former taking it all. Sawalich went on to win the championship over his rival and win the race in the process.

For the second year in a row, William Sawalich is the ARCA East champion. Connor Zilisch wrecked out of the race early after running into a lapped car that had spun out on the track.

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Sawalich battled Landen Lewis, a Ron Hornaday Jr. protege, and won the race AND the championship on the same night.

🏆 Defended his title!@WilliamSawalich wins the 2024 ARCA Menards Series East championship! pic.twitter.com/astfTJLMpG

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) September 19, 2024

Tonight, we didn’t get that epic battle with Connor Zilisch and William Sawalich. When Zilisch ran into Logan Misucara, it was exactly what Sawalich needed. Had Zilisch finished 11th or better, he would have won the championship.

Instead, Sawalich walks away with his second championship in a row and the final laugh over Zilisch. At least for now.

The two newly minted rivals will go at it in the Truck Series tonight. Just like the ARCA race today, Zilisch starts on the pole. Sawalich will try to be the one who lasts the longest once again.

This season in the ARCA East Series, we got to see a glimpse into the future. Both Sawalich and Zilisch are on the fast-track for the Cup Series. Sawalich filled that hole that Jesse Love left when he took off for RCR in the Xfinity Series for 2024.

Toyota and Gibbs have William Sawalich. Chevy and Trackhouse have Connor Zilisch. Over the next ten years or so, we are going to see these two drivers develop and mature. If all goes according to plan, we are going to see more battles in the Xfinity Series for 2025. Then, we could see the two continue this rivalry into the Cup Series one day.

Connor Zilisch wrecks, William Sawalich takes advantage

Connor Zilisch only had to finish 11th or better to win the ARCA East championship tonight, but his day is over. Now, he has to wait and see if William Sawalich makes a mistake tonight at Bristol. It’s doubtful.

Amber Balcaen and Logan Misucara were going at each other on track. They had been in an earlier incident in the race. Misucara, racing for Rev Racing in a third car tonight, found herself spinning out on the track.

Race leader, Connor Zilisch, was unable to avoid her on the track. He slammed into the No. 9 car as it slid down the track and his day was over.

“I’m fine. Just the 9 and the 22, they got together,” Zilisch said after the race. “9 hit the fence up at the top of the track and I don’t know if she didn’t hold the brake or what but came down the track right in front of me and ended our day.

“So, I hate to end a season like that and lose a championship in that way too, it’s frustrating. But we’ve had a hell of a year with our Pinnacle Racing Group team and everyone at Silver Hare Racing and nothing to hang our heads on. Just a frustrating way to go out.”

It cost him a championship. William Sawalich went on to be just about perfect the rest of the race, took the checkered flag, and the season championship.