As expected, the Atlanta race weekend started with a chaotic Xfinity race that saw Austin Hill coming out victorious as expected. The RCR driver proved yet again that when it comes to plate races, there is no one in the series that can match him. In the same time, another Chevy driver Sam Mayer of JR Motorsports was lamenting his fate.
Sam Mayer who has been driving for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team since 2022, sees this season as his best shot at winning the championship after missing out last year despite having a three-win season. But his chase of a third win before the playoff starts at Atlanta ended his him scrabbling get out of the No:1 Chevy after it caught on fire.
Sam Mayer’s car BURSTS into flames. 🔥
📺 : USA Network | #XfinitySeries pic.twitter.com/rU1GkuDWw8
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 7, 2024
With just three more laps left in the second stage of the race, Mayer made contact with the wall and his car immediately caught on fire. He was able to get out of the car quickly without any injury, but it marked the 7th DNF of her 2024 season. It’s the same number of DNF he has had the whole of 2023 season which finished at P3 in the championship.
This has marked another addition to the disappointing streak of poor finishes in the last few weekends. In the last five races his best finish has been a P13 at Daytona will all of his other finishes being outside the top-35. It is big momentum killer for the racer going into the playoffs, with most of JRM teammates struggling as well.
Sam Mayer shares his verdict on the incident
The racer later talked to the media about the unexpected end to his day and admitted that he felt really and about how it played out. He was having some fun at the track before everything came crashing down and admits it feels bad. But at the same time, he is looking forward to racing in the playoffs.
Su**s that it got kind of cut short, but I’m super proud of my guys, and the race cars they’re bringing to the race tracks right now are really, really good. Lots to look forward to going into the playoffs but I would’ve liked to run a couple of laps more fun today.Sam Mayer said.
The driver has to step up and clen up his execution in the upcoming events to be more productive on the tack. If he fails to maximize on the fast cars he gets, his championship chase will end before it even starts.
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