William Sawalich Wins First NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at Rockingham

Cleetus McFarland finishes 32nd in his series debut

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:08pm

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William Sawalich claimed his first NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series victory at Rockingham Speedway on Sunday, dominating the final stage of the race. Cleetus McFarland, making his series debut, had an up-and-down day, battling through a speeding penalty and a spin, ultimately finishing six laps down in 32nd place.

Why it matters

Sawalich's win marks a breakthrough moment in his young NASCAR career, while McFarland's debut showcases the growing popularity of the sport and the opportunity for new drivers to make their mark in the series.

The details

Sawalich laid down the fastest lap of the race and took control of the final stage, pulling away from the field after Brent Crews ran into tire issues while running up front. McFarland struggled with a speeding penalty and a spin that brought out a caution, ultimately finishing six laps behind the leader.

  • Sawalich made his NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series debut in late 2024 at Homestead.
  • Sawalich secured back-to-back runner-up finishes at Portland and Madison in 2025.
  • The North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham Speedway took place on Sunday, April 4, 2026.

The players

William Sawalich

A rising star in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, Sawalich claimed his first career win at Rockingham Speedway after several close calls in previous races.

Brent Crews

A veteran driver in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, Crews was running up front before encountering tire issues that allowed Sawalich to take the lead.

Cleetus McFarland

A popular social media personality making his NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Rockingham, McFarland struggled with a speeding penalty and a spin, ultimately finishing 32nd.

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What they’re saying

“It means everything, it's obviously a tough year last year and a tough start to the year this year. I mean these boys mean everything to me. They were here with me through everything, and my family. Gosh, it feels good to get it done here in Rockingham in front of an awesome crowd. Thank you everybody for coming out.”

— William Sawalich

What’s next

Sawalich will look to build on his first career win as the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to its next event, while McFarland will aim to learn from his debut and improve his performance in future races.

The takeaway

Sawalich's breakthrough victory and McFarland's debut showcase the growing depth and talent within the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, as new drivers continue to emerge and challenge the established stars of the sport.