William Sawalich released from hospital, returns home after Xfinity Series wreck at Talladega

William Sawalich was released from an Alabama hospital early Sunday morning after he was involved in the Stage 2 wreck during Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Sawalich provided an update on his health, saying he made it back home “a little sore.”

“Appreciate all the messages and calls last night.  Finally made it back home from Talladega — a little sore but feeling better and thankful for all the support,” Sawalich wrote on X. “Grateful for my team, the racing community, the NASCAR medical staff, nurses and doctors at UAB Hospital, friends and family.”

Sawalich, 19, was transported to a local hospital after initially being sent to the infield care center for evaluation. The multi-car wreck happened on Lap 45 of the Round of 8 playoff race. It started when Leland Honeyman got turned entering Turn 1, making contact with Connor Mosack and Connor Zilisch. Mosack shot up the track and slammed into Sawalich.

Another big wreck sees Playoff points leader @ConnorZilisch among those taking damage. pic.twitter.com/CagaFdW381

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) October 18, 2025

Sawalich is in his first full-time season in Xfinity, driving the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. He has nine top 10s, three top 5s and nine DNFs in 31 starts. Sawalich failed to make the playoffs.

Talladega playoff race sees William Sawalich transported to local 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.

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

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 Xfinity.

“Being able to race for Richard Childress is always special, and to be able to deliver wins like this,” Hill said. “As the playoff started and us getting knocked out the way we did, it stung a lot, but once we knew we were still in it for the owner’s championship, I decided I’d do it just like I would going for a driver’s championship.

“To be able to lock ourselves in and go to Phoenix knowing we’re going for an owner’s championship and be able to try and deliver one to Richard Childress Racing means the world to me.”

On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this report.