William Sawalich injury update: Status for NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix revealed

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver William Sawalich is still recovering from a hard crash he suffered at Talladega. He has been battling concussion symptoms, and he hasn’t been cleared to race this weekend at Phoenix.

It will mark the second straight race he has missed. He did not race last weekend at Martinsville, where Justin Bonsignore raced in his place in the No. 18 car.

Bonsignore will once again man the car for Phoenix. William Sawalich announced the news on his Twitter account on Wednesday.

“I just wanted to get on here and say I’m unfortunately not medically cleared for Phoenix this weekend,” Sawalich said. “While I would love to be in the car and drive the car for my guys, and as much as it sucks to see my car on track without me in it, I just am unable to do that this weekend.”

Following the big accident at Talladega, which occurred during Stage 2, William Sawalich was transported to a local Alabama hospital. He was treated there and released on Sunday morning, Oct. 19.

He then posted to his Twitter account, updating the situation and making clear that he was grateful for all the medical care he has received. He provided a further update Wednesday.

“I want to take care of my health and make that my No. 1 priority and be ready for next year,” William Sawalich said. “I also want to say a quick thank you to Dr. Collins and UPMC for helping me get through this, and hopefully be better soon.”

The multi-car wreck happened on Lap 45 of the Round of 8 playoff race. It started when Leland Honeyman got turned entering Turn 1, making contact with Connor Mosack and Connor Zilisch. Mosack shot up the track and slammed into Sawalich.

William Sawalich is in his first full-time season in Xfinity, driving the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. He has nine top 10s, three top 5s and nine DNFs in 31 starts. Sawalich failed to make the playoffs.