After swallowing a tough loss last time out at Nashville Fairgrounds, William Sawalich rebounded and came out swinging to secure the victory in Saturday’s Dutch Boy 150, the debut for the ARCA Menards Series East at Flat Rock Speedway.
“I think I saved my tires perfectly. Kinda hoped for a restart there, and that happened,” Sawalich said in an interview after the race. The 16-year-old driver was able to take the lead away from Sean Hingorani with 48 laps to go, after making some contact to the back of the No. 15.
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16-year-old @WilliamSawalich takes the lead late and cruises to victory for @JoeGibbsRacing at @TheLevelPebble ? pic.twitter.com/6ZutKDh32r
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) May 21, 2023
“Kinda got into the 15 there. I thought I was inside him so I kept my nose in and thought it was pretty fair,” he added in his post-win interview.
Hingorani, who sat on the pole and lead the majority of the 150-lap race, voiced some displeasure with his fellow Toyota teammate after the race. “I don’t think the 18 races clean, but it was a good race. I think we’ll do better next time,” he said after finishing the race in third.
This battle for the lead ?@seanhingorani vs. @WilliamSawalich @FloRacing | #DutchBoy150 pic.twitter.com/nLBnegeSj4
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) May 21, 2023
Finishing in between Sawalich and Hingorani was Lavar Scott, who scored a career-best second-place result in the ARCA Menards Series East.
“It means a lot. We haven’t had the greatest luck on our short-track package, but my team’s been working really, really hard to give me something special,” said Scott post-race. “Give me something that I can go out and win in.”
It’s been since 2007 that Billy Venturini last sat in an ARCA car, but the team owner came home in fourth place on the night. “I feel great! I wasn’t winded. I almost wish it was 200 (laps). Our car was really good longer. I just don’t think I can go like these kids can right at the very beginning,” Venturini said.
“I learned I can’t drive as free a racecar as I use to,” the team owner added.
Last week’s first-time winner Luke Fenhaus came home in fifth after falling off from a strong run early. Zachary Tinkle, Tim Monroe, Will Kimmel, Jeffery MacZink, and Derrick McGrew Jr rounded out the top ten.
Looking at the point standings, Sawalich continues to extend his lead in the ARCA Menards Series East standings, now sitting at 13 points over Luke Fenhaus. Lavar Scott and Sean Hingorani sit tied for third as the season approaches its halfway point.
STANDINGS – ARCA East (After 4/8 Races):
1. William Sawalich 182pts
2. Luke Fenhaus (-13)
3. Lavar Scott (-23)
4. Sean Hingorani (-23)
5. Zachary Tinkle (-32)
6. Tim Monroe (-48)
7. Jake Finch (-54)
8. Dale Shearer (-55)
9. Brad Smith (-86)
10. Rita Goulet (-88)— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) May 21, 2023
Next, the East Series will join for the combination race at Iowa Speedway on July 15th.
Official Results from the Dutch Boy 150 at Flat Rock Speedway
| Rank | # | Driver | Team | Laps | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | William Sawalich | Joe Gibbs Racing Starkey / SoundGear Toyota | 150 | -- |
| 2 | 6 | Lavar Scott | Rev Racing Max Siegel, Inc. Chevrolet | 150 | 1.592 |
| 3 | 15 | Sean Hingorani | Venturini Motorsports GEARWRENCH Toyota | 150 | 3.816 |
| 4 | 20 | Billy Venturini | Venturini Motorsports JBL Toyota | 150 | 8.193 |
| 5 | 28 | Luke Fenhaus | Pinnacle Racing Group Chevrolet | 150 | 11.047 |
| 6 | 11 | Zachary Tinkle | Fast Track Racing NASCAR Foundation NASCAR Day Giveathon Toyota | 149 | 1 lap |
| 7 | 10 | Tim Monroe | Fast Track Racing Universal Technical Institute Ford | 146 | 4 laps |
| 8 | 69 | Will Kimmel | Kimmel Racing Ford | 146 | 4 laps |
| 9 | 65 | Jeffery MacZink | MacZink Racing Parkway Services Toyota | 145 | 5 laps |
| 10 | 31 | Derrick McGrew, Jr. | Rise Motorsports Next Generation Roofing Chevrolet | 142 | 8 laps |
| 11 | 98 | Dale Shearer | ShearerSpeed Toyota | 134 | 16 laps |
| 12 | 12 | Ryan Roulette | Fast Track Racing Bellator / VFW Ford | 42 | 108 laps |
| 13 | 48 | Brad Smith | Brad Smith Racing Copraya Chevrolet | 31 | 119 laps |
| 14 | 06 | Nate Moeller | Wayne Peterson Racing Toyota | 25 | 125 laps |
| 15 | 01 | Dallas Frueh | Fast Track Racing Toyota | 18 | 132 laps |
| 16 | 49 | Jeff Smith | Brad Smith Racing Copraya Ford | 1 | 149 laps |
