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William Sawalich transported to local hospital after Xfinity Series wreck at Talladega

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Oct 18, 2025 7:24 PM ET

Following a Stage 2 wreck at Talladega , which caused a red flag, William Sawalich has been transported to a local hospital. Sawalich is awake and alert, but is being transported for further evaluation after leaving the infield care center.

The other drivers involved in the Stage 2 wreck were released from the care center. William Sawalich, a rookie in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, took a hard hit as he was racing in the middle of the pack.

Hopefully, we get good news about Sawalich, and this is just being done out of an abundance of caution. Sawalich just missed out on the NASCAR Playoffs this season. He has shown a ton of improvement throughout the season.

UPDATE: The drivers of the Nos. 26 and 99 have been evaluated and released from the infield care center. William Sawalich, driver of the No. 18, has been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 18, 2025

Talladega is a dangerous race track. Injuries are not uncommon in these races. Connor Zilisch broke his back earlier this year in the Spring at Dega. Those big hits into the outside or inside walls just cause all kinds of problems.

We don’t know the condition of William Sawalich at this time, only that he was alert and awake when he was transported. So, there isn’t too much to say on that front until we hear more from Joe Gibbs Racing.

Austin Hill wins Talladega race after William Sawalich leaves for hospital

Talladega delivered on the drama, the hits, and the overtime finish. Early on, we saw playoff drivers in trouble. Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer were taken out of the race in the first wreck along with other drivers.

The second big wreck of the evening involved William Sawalich, Connor Zilisch, and others. It took a few more cars out of the race. Sawalich has been transferred to a local hospital for further evaluation.

All evening, Hill was on it. He swept the stages, won the race, and showed that he is still the man to beat on drafting tracks.

Austin Hill led the most laps, secured both stages – it was a repeat of so many other superspeedway wins he’s had before. Prior to the 2025 season, Talladega was the one track that had evaded him. Now, he’s a two-time winner, sweeping both races this season in the Xfinity Series.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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