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Sam Mayer
Mayer at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024
Born	Samuel Adam Mayer (2003-06-26) June 26, 2003 (age 21) Franklin, Wisconsin, U.S.
Achievements	2019, 2020 ARCA Menards Series East Champion 2017 INEX Legends Car Young Lions National Champion 2019 Bobby Isaac Memorial Winner
Awards	2018 CARS Late Model Stock Tour Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
115 races run over 4 years
Car no., team	No. 41 (Haas Factory Team)
2023 position	3rd
Best finish	3rd (2023)
First race	2021 Pocono Green 225 (Pocono)
Last race	2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
First win	2023 Road America 180 (Road America)
Last win	2024 Drive for the Cure 250 (Charlotte Roval)
Wins Top tens Poles 7 57 2
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
14 races run over 3 years
2021 position	100th
Best finish	27th (2020)
First race	2019 UNOH 200 (Bristol)
Last race	2021 UNOH 200 (Bristol)
First win	2020 UNOH 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles 1 5 0
ARCA Menards Series career
28 races run over 4 years
Best finish	7th (2020)
First race	2018 Fans With Benefits 150 (Iowa)
Last race	2021 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
First win	2020 Menards.com 200 (Toledo)
Last win	2020 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles 5 23 1
ARCA Menards Series East career
26 races run over 4 years
Best finish	1st (2019, 2020)
First race	2018 United Site Services 70 (Loudon)
Last race	2021 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
First win	2019 Zombie Auto 150 (Bristol)
Last win	2020 Pensacola 200 (Pensacola)
Wins Top tens Poles 9 21 5
ARCA Menards Series West career
5 races run over 4 years
ARCA West no., team	No. 23 (Sigma Performance Services)
Best finish	16th (2020)
First race	2018 Casey's General Store 150 (Iowa)
Last race	2024 General Tire 200 (Sonoma)
First win	2020 Star Nursery 150 (Las Vegas Bullring)
Last win	2024 General Tire 200 (Sonoma)
Wins Top tens Poles 2 3 2
Statistics current as of October 26, 2024.

Samuel Adam Mayer (born June 26, 2003) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 41 Ford Mustang for Haas Factory Team. His father is the founder of QPS Employment Group, and former IndyCar Series driver, Scott Mayer.

Mayer is the 2019 and 2020 East Series champion. He drove for GMS Racing (the other Drivers Edge Development team) both of those years in their No. 21 car and also won the inaugural championship of the ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown in 2020. Mayer started his NASCAR career driving for Jefferson Pitts Racing and MDM Motorsports in 2018 before joining GMS, JRM, and Chevrolet as a development driver in 2019.

Racing career

Mayer got off to an early start in racing, competing in go-kart events at the age of four. Although his father, Scott Mayer, was an open-wheel racer, Sam chose in his preteen years to focus on stock car racing. Over the course of the 2017 summer, during which Mayer turned fourteen, he spent the summer in Charlotte to race Legends cars; he won the Young Lions division of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Summer Shootout. He also raced in a Limited Late Model and won at Greenville-Pickens Speedway to become the track's youngest winner. He came back to Wisconsin and won a September Midwest Truck Series race at Dells Raceway Park in his first series start.

In 2017, Mayer came in touch with industry veteran Lorin Ranier, who eventually landed Mayer a late model ride with JR Motorsports in the CARS Tour for 2018. Mayer's late model racing also brought him to the World Series of Asphalt, where he finished second to Stephen Nasse. Ranier also led Mayer to MDM Motorsports for a limited slate in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in the back half of 2018, with age restrictions being a factor in which races Mayer could run, as both series only let 15-year-old competitors race on certain tracks. In his first ARCA race, Mayer ran as high as third and finished inside the top-ten. After the CARS Tour season was over, Mayer was voted the series' Most Popular Driver for 2018. The CARS Tour season included one victory, at Wake County Speedway.

On December 5, 2018, it was announced that Mayer would run a full NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule with GMS Racing as part of a 2019 schedule that would also include seven ARCA races and four NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series races with the team. All four of the Truck races will come after Mayer turns sixteen; his debut is slated to be at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. That race would be followed by appearances at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Martinsville Speedway and ISM Raceway.

Mayer scored his first K&N East win at Bristol on April 6, 2019, leading every lap. He nearly scored his first ARCA Menards Series win at Gateway in June after a late pit gamble, but was moved up the track by Ty Gibbs in the final set of corners and was relegated to third. In October, he won the 2019 K&N East championship to become the youngest NASCAR champion at 16 years, 3 months, and 8 days; the previous record was 16 years and 5 months by Todd Gilliland in 2016. Mayer ended the 2019 season with four wins and top tens in all but one race.

While racing in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East in 2020, Mayer made a TA2 Trans-Am start at Road America and suffered a hairline fracture in his wrist during a race-ending crash. The injury forced Colin Braun to sub in for Mayer midway through the AMS race at the Daytona International Speedway road course. Mayer later won ARCA's first trip to Lebanon I-44 Speedway.

On September 15, 2020, Mayer and JR Motorsports announced an agreement to have him drive one of the organization's NASCAR Xfinity Series cars part-time in the latter portion of 2021 and full-time in the 2022 season. Two days later, Mayer swept the night at Bristol, winning both the Truck Series and ARCA race. He overcame a pit miscue to claim the checkered flag in the ARCA event. Mayer won the East finale at Five Flags Speedway to capture the series championship with an average finish of 1.2 on the season.

On January 14, 2021, defending ARCA champion Bret Holmes announced he would begin fielding a part-time Truck Series team, the No. 32, for himself and Mayer for the upcoming season. In addition, Mayer would also drive select races in Bret Holmes Racing's No. 23 car in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East. Three days later on January 17, it was also announced that Mayer would run seven races in the No. 75 for Henderson Motorsports in the Truck Series, beginning at the Daytona Road Course, which would end up being his only start with Henderson Motorsports.

On January 4, 2022, it was confirmed that Sam Mayer would drive the JR Motorsports No. 1 in 2022, replacing Michael Annett. At the Martinsville spring race on April 8, Mayer finished fifth after doing a bump and run on Ty Gibbs on the final lap. After the race, Gibbs attempted to spin Mayer out during the cool-down laps before both drivers engaged in a fistfight on pit road. Mayer would go on to finish seventh in the final points standings with a best result of second at Talladega.

On August 9, 2022, it was announced that Mayer would return for the 2023 season. He started the 2023 season with a 27th place finish at Daytona, where he flipped down the backstretch on the final lap. Mayer scored his first career win at Road America. He followed it up with his second win at Watkins Glen. During the playoffs, Mayer won at the Charlotte Roval and at Homestead to make the Championship 4. Mayer finished fifth at Phoenix and third in the points standings.

Mayer started the 2024 season with a 36th place DNF at Daytona. At Texas, he scored a narrow victory over Ryan Sieg at Texas by 0.002 seconds, making it part of a three way tie for the second closest finish in Xfinity Series history. Mayer scored his second win of the season at Iowa. During the playoffs, he was disqualified at Talladega after his car failed the post-race ride height requirement. A week later, Mayer won at the Charlotte Roval.

On August 17, 2024, Mayer signed with Haas Factory Team to drive the No. 41 Ford in 2025.

Personal life

Mayer's father Scott Mayer is the founder of QPS Employment Group and Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions, Mayer's primary sponsor in the Xfinity Series. As of 2023, the company has 57 branches across 8 states and employs thousands of associate employees, one of the largest employment firms in the midwest.

Mayer is in a relationship with Amelia Sawalich, the sister of fellow driver William Sawalich.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

Xfinity Series

Camping World Truck Series

Season still in progress
Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series East

ARCA Menards Series West

References

1. "Team Event Rosters – Bristol Motor Speedway – Thursday, August 15, 2019" (PDF). NASCAR. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 17, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
2. Scott Mayer Bio, QPS Employment, Retrieved July 29, 2023
3. ^ Kallman, Dave. "Sam Mayer of Franklin to make NASCAR Truck debut in August". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
4. ^ Kallman, Dave. "15-year-old Sam Mayer of Franklin on a rapid rise toward NASCAR". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
5. "Sam Mayer -- Legends Champion" (Press release). Retrieved December 6, 2018.
6. ^ Kallmann, Dave (July 2, 2018). "If you're 15 and looking to make it in the stock-car world, it's great to be Sam Mayer". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
7. Eberly, Brian (8 July 2018). "Sam Mayer Brings Home Top-Ten at Iowa in ARCA Debut". Motorsports Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
8. Lemasters, Ron. "JRM's Sam Mayer Voted CARS Tour LMSC Most Popular Driver". JR Motorsports. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
9. Segal, Davey (April 6, 2019). "Sam Mayer dominates at Bristol for his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series win". Autoweek. Crain Communications. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
10. "Ty Gibbs, 16, grabs first ARCA Menards Series win with last-lap pass". NASCAR.com. 23 June 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
11. Segal, Davey (October 4, 2019). "Sam Mayer Dominates Dover To Close Championship Season". NASCAR Home Tracks. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
12. Kallman, Dave (August 8, 2020). "Local driver Sam Mayer finishes his first race at Road America with a broken wrist and runner-up finish". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Gannett. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
13. Starr, Briar (August 31, 2020). "Colin Braun open to more Stock Car starts". Speedway Media. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
14. Allaway, Phil (September 5, 2020). "Sam Mayer Wins Rough And Tumble Zinsser SmartCoat 200". Frontstretch. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
15. "Sam Mayer reunites with JR Motorsports for Xfinity Series debut". Yahoo! Sports. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
16. Long, Dustin (September 17, 2020). "17-year-old Sam Mayer wins first NASCAR Truck race". NASCAR on NBC. NBC Sports. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
17. Seelman, Jacob (September 18, 2020). "Sweet Sweep: Mayer Doubles Down at Bristol". Speed Sport. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
18. "Mayer Closes ARCA East Title Run With Pensacola Score". Speed Sport. October 11, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
19. "Holmes & Mayer Going Truck Series Racing". Speed Sport. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
20. Srigley, Joseph (January 17, 2021). "Henderson Motorsports Entering Four of First Five Truck Events; Kligerman and Mayer Selected as Drivers". TobyChristie.com.
21. Albert, Zack (April 8, 2022). "Ty Gibbs, Sam Mayer tussle on pit road after Martinsville race". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
22. "Sam Mayer Returning to JR Motorsports Full-Time in 2023". TobyChristie.com. August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
23. "Sam Mayer steals first Xfinity Series win at Road America". NASCAR. July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
24. Cain, Holly (August 19, 2023). "Sam Mayer outlasts field in OT, wins at Watkins Glen". NASCAR. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
25. Spencer, Reid (October 7, 2023). "Sam Mayer converts must-win at Charlotte Roval, advances in Xfinity Series Playoffs". NASCAR. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
26. "Sam Mayer holds off Herbst, seals Xfinity Series title shot with Homestead victory". NASCAR. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
27. Albino, Dustin (November 4, 2023). "Cole Custer gets illustrious first Xfinity Series championship in return season". NASCAR. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
28. "Sam Mayer inches past Ryan Sieg for unbelievable 0.002 photo finish at Texas". NASCAR. April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
29. Hawkins, Stephen (April 13, 2024). "Sam Mayer makes last-lap pass and wins Xfinity race in Texas by .002 seconds over Ryan Sieg". Washington Post. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
30. "Sam Mayer survives overtime, wins Xfinity Series race at Iowa". NASCAR. June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
31. "JR Motorsports will appeal Sam Mayer's disqualification at Talladega UPDATE: denied". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
32. Spencer, Reid (October 12, 2024). "Sam Mayer prevails in NASCAR Overtime, wins Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Roval". NASCAR. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
33. "Sheldon Creed, Sam Mayer moving to Haas Factory Team for 2025 Xfinity Series season". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
34. Scott Mayer Bio, QPS Employment, Retrieved July 29, 2023
35. "Sam Mayer – 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
36. "Sam Mayer – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
37. "Sam Mayer – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
38. "Sam Mayer – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
39. "Sam Mayer – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
40. "Sam Mayer – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
41. "Sam Mayer – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
42. "Sam Mayer – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
43. "Sam Mayer – 2019 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
44. "Sam Mayer – 2020 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
45. "Sam Mayer – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
46. "Sam Mayer – 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
47. "Sam Mayer – 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
48. "Sam Mayer – 2020 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
49. "Sam Mayer – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
50. "Sam Mayer – 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
51. "Sam Mayer – 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
52. "Sam Mayer – 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
53. "Sam Mayer – 2024 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 3, 2024.

External links

• Official website
• Official profile at JR Motorsports
• Sam Mayer driver statistics at Racing-Reference

• 2003 births
• Racing drivers from Milwaukee
• NASCAR drivers
• ARCA Menards Series drivers
• Living people
• People from Franklin, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
• Sportspeople from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
• JR Motorsports drivers
• Trans-Am Series drivers