It was once again a dominate showing for Eden Praire, MN’s native William Sawalich as he took home the trophy in the Owens Corning 200 at Toledo Speedway. Taking home his ninth win on the season in the ARCA Menards Series national platform and going back-to-back at the one-mile oval.
“I got a good jump on the restart and I can’t thank my guys enough…We had a really fast Starkey SoundGear Toyota. Just a really good day overall,” he said in victory lane.
Meanwhile, it was a historic day for Rev Racing and their drivers. Andres Perez wrapped up the 2024 ARCA Menards Series driver’s championship by taking the green flag, becoming the first ever foreign-born champion in series history. This is also Rev Racing’s second championship in three years, dating back to Nick Sanchez’s title in 2022.
“I think it was a great year overall. Super happy, super thankful for everybody and the team. It was such a fun year. Enjoyed ever race and we had some great results…I really wanted that (the win today) but it is what it is. The championship is the greater thing and we got it. Super proud,” he said post-race.
The Mexico City native also becomes the first champion since 1980 to win the title, but not a race in the ARCA season.
It's official now.
Green is out and @andresplg2 is your 2024 champ @ToledoSpeedway.#ARCA
— Benny Blue Skies ???? (@benbranscum) October 5, 2024
Meanwhile his teammate in the 6 car, Lavar Scott, took home the Bounty Rookie Challenge rookie of the year award. The first ever black driver to take the honor.
Big history today for ARCA:@andresplg2 is set to become the first foreign born champion (from Mexico City).
Meanwhile his teammate @RevRacin @LavarScott will become the first Black driver to win the Bounty Rookie Challenge rookie of the year award.
— Benny Blue Skies ???? (@benbranscum) October 5, 2024
Joe Gibbs Racing and the 18 machine also locked up the 2024 owners points title, their fourth owners title.
It wasn’t all good news though. There were several reports of Gio Ruggiero having some beef on track. It came to blows on lap 59, where he was caught behind a few lapped cars including his Venturini Motorsports teammate of Amber Balcaen.
The Seeknok, MA native bumped the 22 heading into turn one, sending Balcaen for a spin, collecting Brad Smith, and VMS teammate Toni Breidinger. Ruggiero would end up finishing second.
Here’s the replay (again) of the incident between Balcaen and Ruggiero. Definitely feels like more patience could have been shown on lap 59 of 200.
— Benny Blue Skies ???? (@benbranscum) October 5, 2024
Several others had solid runs, including Cody Dennison with a eight place finish, his second top-10 of the year. Fan favorite Willie Mullins also pulled off a tenth place finish in his first start since the season opener at Daytona.
Official Results from the Owen’s Corning 200 at Toledo Speedway
| Name | Total Laps | Diff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Sawalich * | 200 | --:--:-- |
| 2 | Giovanni Ruggiero * | 200 | 00:02:100 |
| 3 | Kris Wright | 200 | 00:04:650 |
| 4 | Brent Crews * | 200 | 00:05:127 |
| 5 | Lavar Scott * | 200 | 00:06:008 |
| 6 | Andres Perez | 200 | 00:06:221 |
| 7 | Toni Breidinger | 200 | 00:06:629 |
| 8 | Cody Dennison * | 200 | 00:12:692 |
| 9 | Christian Rose | 200 | 00:14:411 |
| 10 | Willie Mullins | 200 | 00:23:669 |
| 11 | Becca Monopoli * | 192 | 7 laps |
| 12 | Brad Smith | 184 | 15 laps |
| 13 | Amber Balcaen | 177 | 22 laps |
| 14 | Nate Noeller * | 173 | 26 laps |
| 15 | Michael Maples * | 168 | 31 laps |
| 16 | Tim Monroe * | 154 | 45 laps |
| 17 | Presley Sorah * | 93 | 106 laps |
| 18 | Dale Shearer | 41 | 158 laps |
| 19 | Alex Clubb | 25 | 174 laps |
| 20 | Con Nicolopoulos | 23 | 176 laps |
| 21 | Matt Kemp * | 7 | 192 laps |
