Martinsville Speedway
Saturday, April 15th, 2023
Race 8 of 33: Call 811.com Before You Dig 250 at Martinsville Speedway Track Specs: .526- mile oval / 250 laps Race Winner: John Hunter Nemechek Mayer’s finish: 31st Point’s position: 11th (-98)
Sam Mayer, driver of the No.1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet, battled a tough fight through Saturday evening’s event at Martinsville Speedway after an unfortunate multi-car incident ended his night early, relegating the young driver to a 31st place finish. Mayer currently sits just outside the top-10 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series point standings in 11th at 98 points behind the leader.
Race Rundown
After a smooth qualifying run on Friday night, Mayer locked in to start the race in the fifth position.
By lap 15, Mayer had gained a spot and held himself steadily in the top five. The 19-year-old reported that he was feeling some rubber chatter and just felt very little grip overall. Mayer landed a fourth-place Stage One finish to start the night. The No. 1 Chevrolet came down pit road under the stage break for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment.
The Franklin, Wis. native restarted Stage Two in the 14th position with a caution coming out shortly after. As the laps rolled by through Stage Two, the No. 1 Chevrolet battled for track position and cruised to a 13th- place stage finish. Crew chief Mardy Lindley called the young driver down pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and an adjustment as the driver of the No. 1 reported he was loose and unstable on entry.
Mayer restarted the Final Stage 13th as the field started to tense up quickly. He held steady in the top 15 as more yellow flags fell. By lap 175, Mayer raced his way up to battle the Kaulig crew for the 7th position. Another caution arose and the No. 1 came down pit road for his last set of four Goodyear tires and Sunoco fuel along with an adjustment.
With 28 laps to go, Mayer was racing hard and ultimately was collected in a multi-car incident, ending his night early, ultimately leading to a 31st-place finish.
Sam Mayer, driver No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet team
“We had a really fast Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet and unfortunately short-track racing got the best of us tonight. Proud of the No. 1 guys for giving me a fast racecar and continuing to fight all night long. We will pick our heads up and roll onto next week at Talladega.”