Race 7 of 33: DUDE Wipes 250 at Martinsville Speedway
Mayer's finish: 2nd
Sam Mayer
Sam Mayer, driver of the No. 1 10X Health Chevrolet, fought hard on Saturday night, taking the green flag in ninth and holding strong inside the top 10 to earn a second-place finish through the green-white-checkered shuffle in the closing laps at Martinsville Speedway. Mayer raced his way up to the top five quickly as an early caution on lap 9 appeared. The young driver kept his momentum and posted a fourth-place finish in Stage One. Crew chief Mardy Lindley made the call to stay out during the stage break, which allowed Mayer to start Stage Two from the top spot, leading the rest of the JRM contingent into Turn 1. The Franklin, Wis. native had a strong but quiet Stage Two until getting shuffled back to 13th on a restart, and he would finish Stage Two in that position. The No. 1 Chevrolet made its way to pit road for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment, putting him 12th for the final segment. The 20-year-old driver started to fly through the field and gain speed. A caution with 54 laps remaining set Mayer up in sixth for the restart. Mayer battled his way to fourth, fighting for track position up front. On the final restart, Mayer went three-wide and fought hard to earn a runner-up finish.
"Tonight's fight was exactly what we needed to get this team back to where we belong and where we know we can race hard. I am so unbelievably proud of this No. 1 team and they car they gave me tonight. Unfortunately, that is just Martinsville racing and we came up just one spot short of a win but will keep our heads held high and continue on to Texas."
