Joe Gibbs’ Prodigy Steals the Show at Elko With Iconic Three-Wide Finish

If you watched the ARCA race at the Elko Speedway, you know how mind-boggling it was! After getting spun mid-race, a trailing William Sawalich took back the lead. But how he took the checkered flag was unexpected, to say the least. Three cars crossed the finish line almost at the same time, something you don’t get to see too often.

But you have got to feel for Lavar Scott, who almost pulled off his first career win. The display of racing at Elko was nothing short of a thriller, and surely fans enjoyed every bit of it.

The 3-wide finish at the ARCA race

The race was just meant for the home favorite to win, however, Sawalich’s victory did not come easy. After leading most of the race, with 75 laps to go, Sawalich had contact with Michael Maples, which sent him spinning. Joe Gibbs’s #18 was sent to the 8th position post-contact. But making his way through the top pack, he went on to win the race. He took the checkered flag with just one-one-hundredth of a second. Win margins so close are a rarity and this happened thanks to the following events.

With just 4 laps to go, Sawalich was tailing Scott. On the next lap, he came in there inside of #6 and they raced door to door. Eventually, Sawalich took the lead. But Scott wasn’t willing to give up his chance for a career win. So he came back on the inside of Sawalich. The aggressive move led to minor contact between the two. On the final turn, they both stayed door to door and went wide. Followed by which Kris Wright, seeing to better his position, took the inside line. Finally taking all to a 3 wide finish. Eventually, Sawalich took the victory, followed by Scott and then Wright.

The home guy got emotional after his win. Four years ago he was racing a Legends car on this same track and is now in the ARCA. Post the race he said, “That was one of the best races I’ve ever put together and this team has put together. Just really shows our dedication and our teamwork towards this race and obviously in front of the home crowd, this is awesome. This is the coolest thing ever to do this.” The win was even more special for him as he had his family and friends in the stands cheering him on. In one faction, there is celebration, but the Scott team must feel disappointed after getting so close to a win and not getting it.

Lavar Scott misses out on first career win

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The race was proving to be the best of his career, as he was leading 100 laps, a first for him. This isn’t the first time he’s almost got a win this season. Not long ago, the same happened at the Berlin ARCA 400, Scott took P2 and Sawalich took the checkered flag. After finishing 3rd in the 2023 ARCA Menards Series championship, the youngster is looking for more.

This could prove to be the year for the #6 of the Rev Racing team. Lavar has shown phenomenal consistency in the 2024 season, his win is just lurking around the corner. The 2nd position seems to be his nemesis as currently he is second in the points table. Although he’s had a winless season, out of the 12 races, he’s gotten six top 5 finishes, out of which three came in his last 5 races. He has also finished 8 times in the top 10 this year.

Hopefully, the 20-year-old continues on this high and goes on to clinch his first victory in ARCA.