February 7, 2025
UPDATE: This story has been updated with new information.
William Sawalich, the original winner of Friday night’s Super Late Model feature at the 59th Annual World Series of Asphalt Short Track Racing, has failed post-race technical inspection.
His car exceeded maximum width, leading to his disqualification. Second place finisher Carson Brown is now the winner.
The story below is as it was written originally, apart from updated race results.
New Smyrna Beach, FL — The 59th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, a week of short track revelry in Central Florida, has begun with fireworks and close-quarters racing.
William Sawalich wrestled the lead away from Cole Butcher on a late-race restart, holding off a charge from Carson Brown to secure the victory at New Smyrna Speedway.
The aforementioned late restart followed a big pileup on another restart, first triggered by a Dawson Sutton single-car incident. The restart pileup stemmed from polesitter Gavan Boschele suffering a flat right rear tire, causing the check-up and subsequent carnage.
The victor, William Sawalich, stated that he simply got loose under Butcher towards the race’s conclusion. Although Butcher issued similar contact towards Sawalich early on, Sawalich expressed no intention of aiming to win in a questionable manner.
“I’d be the last person to want to race for a win like that,” said Sawalich to FloRacing in victory lane. “I hate to win like that, but we’re at New Smyrna and just trying to have a good time, get some wins.”
“The first time he got to me, he moved me, so I think that kinda set the tone for the whole race, but by no means did I want to do that. Hats off to him. Hopefully we’ll have some good races the other nights.”
Second place finisher, Carson Brown, capitalized on the leaders’ contact. After cruising by an exposed Cole Butcher and nearly overtaking Sawalich, Brown has a runner-up finish to start the week in New Smyrna Beach.
“They just got in there a little hot, but we came from 7th and I was happy with this finish. Overall it was a fun race, good race, and I’ll be back at [Bubba Raceway Park] tomorrow and then back here for the World Series.
Despite leading a majority of the race, Canada’s Cole Butcher will have to settle for a third place finish to start his 2025 World Series run. Although intentionally heated with Sawalich, his crew assured him that Sawalich got loose.
“I thought he just drove it in there and used me up, but I was talking to my crew and he just got loose in,” said Butcher. “Congratulations to William, congratulations to Carson, but we still have a couple more nights and hopefully we’ll get a couple wins.”
Derek Griffith and George Phillips rounded out the top five.
World Series of Asphalt SLM Race 1 Results
- Carson Brown
- Cole Butcher
- Derek Griffith
- George Phillips
- Conner Jones
- Michael Hinde
- Cody Ware
- Nicholas Naugle
- Brad May
- Gavan Boschele
- Paul Shafer Jr.
- Cory Hall
- Billy VanMeter
- Derrick Kelley
- Beto Monteiro -2 laps
- Dawson Sutton -6 laps
- Ty Fredrickson -6 laps
- Mike Hopkins -6 laps
- Bobby Kendall -6 laps
- Jeremy Davis -6 laps
- Danny Knoll -8 laps
- Bobby Good -15 laps
- Kasey Kleyn -32 laps
- Derek Kraus -32 laps
- Austin Teras -45 laps
- Steve Weaver Jr. – DNS
- William Sawalich – DQ
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Photo: Jason Reasin
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