Sawalich To Lead Xfinity Finale At Phoenix

NASCAR Xfinity Series newcomer William Sawawlich will start on pole for Saturday night’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

 Sawalich, aboard his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, clocked a fastest speed of 134.168 mph, 0.148 seconds faster than teammate Sheldon Creed.

Behind the front row, Riley Herbst and Chandler Smith round out the top-four positions.

Championship 4 contender Austin Hill was the first of the four remaining playoff drivers in fifth ahead of teammate Jesse Love. Looking to defend his title from last season, Cole Custer will start seventh in the No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. 

Three Chevrolets complete the top 10 including Sam Mayer, title contender A.J. Allmendinger and Parker Retzlaff. 

Allmendinger’s Kaulig Racing team changed the brakes off his No. 16 Chevrolet after qualifying, which will force him to drop to the rear of the field for an unapproved adjustment. 

After a crash took him out of practice on Friday, Justin Allgaier, in a backup car, starts 37th out of 38 cars as he looks to secure his first Xfinity Series championship.