19-year-old NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie William Sawalich already missed Martinsville after a vicious crash at Talladega Superspeedway left him with concussion-like symptoms. He was hospitalized for several hours following the race before finally being released in the middle of the night.
Unfortunately, he will have to wait until 2026 to get back behind the wheel, as he has not been medically cleared to race in the finale at Phoenix Raceway either.
"I just wanted to get on here and say I'm unfortunately not medically for Phoenix this weekend," said Sawalich in a video posted to social media. "While I'd 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. I want to take care of my health and make that my No. 1 priority and be ready for next year. I also want to say a quick thank you to Dr. Collins and UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) for helping me get through this, and hopefully we'll be better soon."
Justin Bonsignore will again take his place behind the wheel of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota this weekend, as he did at Martinsville. Bonsignore did a solid job, scoring a top ten finish.
Sawalich was 17th in the driver championship standings before being forced out of the car, and while he remains there after Martinsville, he could mathematically fall as far as 20th by the end of Phoenix.
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