JR Motorsports Race Report
Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022
Race 1 of 33: Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300 at Daytona International Speedway
Track Specs: 2.5-mile D-shaped oval / 120 laps
Race Winner: Austin Hill
Mayer’s finish: 30th
Points position: 23rd (-23)
Sam Mayer and the No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions team’s promising evening at Daytona International Speedway concluded with a 30th-place finish in Saturday’s Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300. Mayer worked from one end of the pack to the other, recovering from an early spin and racing as high as third to end Stage Two. But during a scheduled green-flag pit stop on lap 74, Mayer was hit from behind by the No. 98 of Riley Herbst. The sudden contact sent Mayer spinning and initiated a series of events that ultimately sent the team to the garage for repairs and handed them the uncharacteristic finish.
Race Rundown
Mayer started the race in 34th and climbed inside the top 20 by lap 8.
The No. 1 team was caught in the aftermath of the race’s first caution but received no damage and took the opportunity to come to pit road.
The Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions group rebounded immediately once back to green-flag racing and Mayer finished Stage 1 in the 10th position.
Mayer restarted Stage Two in fifth but dropped to 19th as the field settled into a single-file racing. With drafting help finally coming in the closing laps of Stage Two, Mayer drove through the field to a third-place finish.
During the stage-ending caution, the team pitted for four tires, fuel and a quick fix for a broken hood flap from the earlier spin.
The No. 1 Chevrolet took restart for the final stage in 24th. Trying to strategically pit with his JRM teammates on lap 74, Mayer got hit from behind by the No. 98 of Riley Herbst and spun getting onto pit road, causing significant damage to the rear of Mayer’s machine.
The team came to pit road to replace the rear bumper cover, but once back up to speed the cover broke loose. Mayer went to the garage for extensive repairs and returned to the track to finish 30th.
Sam Mayer, driver No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet team
“It was a frustrating day for our No. 1 team. That’s that nature of racing at Daytona though, it’s usually feast or famine. Still, I learned a lot out there today. All things I can stockpile for the next time we come here.
“Just want to give a big thanks to the folks at Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions and to Taylor (Moyer, crew chief) and this entire team for their hard work this weekend.”