SAWALICH DELIVERS CAREER-BEST RUNNER-UP FINISH IN PORTLAND
Taylor Gray closes in on a Playoff berth
PORTLAND, Ore. (August 30, 2025) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver William Sawalich finished a career-best second in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Portland International Raceway on Saturday evening. Sawalich had a solid weekend overall as he also won the ARCA West race at the track on Friday.
With one race remaining, Taylor Gray remains in a solid position to make the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs as he holds a 60-point advantage heading into the final race of the regular season – World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, just outside of St. Louis – next weekend.
Toyota GAZOO Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Portland International Raceway
Race 25 of 33 – 147.75 miles, 75 laps
TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Connor Zilisch*
2nd, WILLIAM SAWALICH
3rd, Nick Sanchez*
4th, Christian Eckes*
5th, Austin Hill*
14th, TAYLOR GRAY
18th, BRANDON JONES
20th, ALON DAY
29th, TAKUMA KOGA
31st, JACK PERKINS
32nd, DEAN THOMPSON
*non-Toyota driver
TOYOTA QUOTES
WILLIAM SAWALICH, No. 18 SoundGear Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 2nd
What is the emotion like being as close as you were to your first win?
“Not too bad. It is a career-best and the team had a good day. We had a good SoundGear GR Supra – it was as fast as Xfinity Mobile. Just kind back-and-forth all day. We didn’t have the fire off speed that we wanted, but our long run speed was on par with the 88 (Connor Zilisch) – from what I know. I’m not sure if he was taking it easy or what, but we had a good day. We finished P2, so I’m pretty happy.”
About Toyota
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