Strong Sonoma weekend could be shot in the arm for William Sawalich

Before Saturday's race at Sonoma Raceway, William Sawalich's rookie campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series could best be described as Sisyphean.

Save for a pair of top-10 finishes at Atlanta and COTA, the 18-year-old from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, had been put through the wringer. Sawalich entered Saturday's race 25th in the standings. 

But following a dramatic win in Friday's ARCA Menards Series West race, Sawalich put together the most impressive performance of his young Xfinity Series career. 

After qualifying fifth, Sawalich stayed within striking distance of the leaders all afternoon, even passing Shane van Gisbergen for second early in Stage 3. While the battle for the race win eventually came down to van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch, Sawalich crossed the line in third, both a season-best and career-best finish.