TALLADEGA, Ala. — Teenager William Sawalich tamed Talladega Superspeedway during qualifying for Friday afternoon’s Love’s RV Stop 225 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Sawalich, 18, drove the No. 1 TRICON Toyota to a best lap of 54.482 seconds (175.764 mph) to earn the pole for the opening race in the round of 8 for the Truck Series playoffs.
Sawalich, who earned his first Truck Series pole in his 13th race, edged two-time series champion Ben Rhodes, who was second in a ThorSport Racing Ford.
Title contenders Ty Majeski (Ford), Grant Enfinger (Chevrolet) and Taylor Gray (Toyota) completed the top five.
Timmy Hill and Keith McGee failed to qualify for the 36-car starting field.