Sawalich Gets First ARCA/CRA Super Series Win on High Banks of Winchester
Salem, IN (September 5, 2022) – 15-year-old Eden Prairie, Minnesota teenager William Sawalich made a late race pass after a torrid battle for first place with Hernando, Florida driver Michael Hinde, to get his first ever ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS victory in Sunday’s Victory Custom Trailers 100 Presented by Factory Canopies on the Historic High Banks of Winchester Speedway. The event was part of the traditional Labor Day Weekend World Stock Car Festival at Winchester Speedway.
“That was a good race,” remarked Sawalich in victory lane. “This place is really cool, it’s just so fast, and hard to pass. It took a while for me to get around the 69 car, he just kept it in the groove and I just couldn’t get under him without getting loose to try and pass. I finally got beside him on the high side in three and four and was able to make the pass. Have to thank Donnie Wilson Motorsports for a great car and everything they do for me. Thanks to my family for all their support. I can’t wait to come back for the Winchester 400!”
Texas racer Logan Beardan got the early lead from his outside pole starting position at the drop of the green flag after Francis Engineering Fast Qualifier Sawalich drew a five for the inverted start. Bearden led until lap 24 when his car started to go away, and Hinde was able to make the pass on the inside while Sawalich worked his way to second from his fifth place starting position.
Sawalich was able to close on Hinde’s back bumper, then spent almost 50 laps trying to pass Hinde for the lead with both drivers using different grooves to improve their speed as their tires started to wear. Sawalich obviously had a faster car, but Hinde was making him work for it, and was determined to keep him out of the preferred groove.
The two touched several times but both drivers continued to battle until Sawalich was able to get to the outside of Hinde going into turns three and four to pull alongside and then completed the pass for the lead in turns one and two on lap 93. Sawalich was able to pull away from Hinde once he got clear to take the checkers by a full second over Hinde. Sawalich picked up the Sweet Manufacturing Sweet Move of the Race Award for his pass to get the lead.
Hinde finished in second and picked up the FLUIDYNE Cool Under Pressure Award for holding off Sawalich for so many laps.
“They knew we were here today,” remarked Hinde. “We led 68 laps in our first time racing here in a Super. Chris Cater gave me an awesome car today, we just came up a little short to get the win. I learned a lot this weekend, we are really looking forward to coming back for the Winchester 400, will have a good car for that race!
Former event winner Tommy St. John finished in third after starting in seventh and picked up a Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award and the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award for his late pass of Albert Francis to finish in third. Francis would finish in fourth with series Rookie Billy Van Meter in fifth place.
The ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS will be back in action on Saturday, September 17th in the Clean Harbors/Safety Kleen Glass City 200 event at Toledo Speedway. More information on all the CRA Series is available at www.cra-racing.com.
