{"id":48573,"date":"2024-10-12T19:13:41","date_gmt":"2024-10-13T00:13:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=48573"},"modified":"2024-10-12T19:13:41","modified_gmt":"2024-10-13T00:13:41","slug":"sam-mayer-keeps-xfinity-playoff-run-alive-with-dramatic-victory-at-charlotte-roval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/12\/sam-mayer-keeps-xfinity-playoff-run-alive-with-dramatic-victory-at-charlotte-roval\/","title":{"rendered":"Sam Mayer keeps Xfinity Playoff run alive with dramatic victory at Charlotte Roval"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Sam Mayer, driver of the #1 QPS Employment Group Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BCBS at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12, 2024 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

CONCORD, N.C.\u2014As Sam Mayer celebrated his drama-filled victory in Saturday\u2019s Drive for the Cure 250 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Parker Kligerman watched a replay of the whisker-close circumstance that knocked him out of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Sam Mayer, driver of the #1 QPS Employment Group Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Xfinity Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BCBS at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12, 2024 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

In overtime, Mayer passed Kligerman in Turn 7 of the 2.280-mile, 17-turn circuit and pulled away to claim the victory that propelled him into the Playoffs\u2019 Round of 8.<\/p>\n

But Mayer\u2019s win was devastation for Kligerman, who has never won an Xfinity Series race. Kligerman was leading, with the white flag waving, when NASCAR called a caution for Leland Honeyman\u2019s spin into the barrier in Turn 3.<\/p>\n

Had the caution call come a fraction of a second later, Kligerman would have been the winner under yellow. The overtime, however, gave Mayer another shot in his No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet\u2014arguably the class of the field\u2014and the 21-year-old from Franklin, Wis., took full advantage.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Sam Mayer, driver of the #1 QPS Employment Group Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BCBS at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12, 2024 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe were all crossed up getting up in there (Turn 7),\u201d Mayer said of the winning pass. \u201cI was loose getting into (Turn) 6, and I knew that was my only shot, if I got a good angle into that corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe blocked the bottom, which was good for me in that it gave me a better angle up off the corner and got this Chevrolet hooked up, and we were gone from there. Now I get to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Mayer and Kligerman needed to win to advance in the Playoffs, but it was Mayer who got his third win of the season, his second straight at the Roval and the seventh of his career, beating runner-up A.J. Allmendinger to the finish line by 1.474 seconds.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Parker Kligerman, driver of the #48 Big Machine Spiked Coolers Chevrolet, and Sam Mayer, driver of the #1 QPS Employment Group Chevrolet, lead the field to a restart during the NASCAR Xfinity Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BCBS at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12, 2024 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

He joins JR Motorsports teammates Sammy Smith and Justin Allgaier in the Round of 8, along with Chandler Smith (fifth), Austin Hill (fourth), defending series champion Cole Custer (13th), Allmendinger and Jesse Love (19th), who earned the final transfer spot by two points over Saturday\u2019s pole winner and third-place finisher Shane van Gisbergen.<\/p>\n

Kligerman left Charlotte 12th in the standings, a distant 24 points shy of the Round of 8 after fading to sixth on the final lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done this interview from that side,\u201d said Kligerman, who has combined careers of broadcasting and racing\u2014and who will retire from full-time competition at the end of the season. \u201cIt\u2019s really tough from this side.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Parker Kligerman, driver of the #48 Big Machine Spiked Coolers Chevrolet, and Sam Mayer, driver of the #1 QPS Employment Group Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BCBS at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 12, 2024 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI teared up when I thought we got it there at the white flag, then the caution comes out, and we had to re-focus\u2026 I thought I cut off Turn 7 enough, but he (Mayer) somehow got below me, and then it was on from there.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has full contact. Sam didn\u2019t do anything egregious. It was hard racing, but as close as you could be to the line. Now I want to cry\u2014I\u2019m not going to cry, but I really love this game, and it would\u2019ve meant the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Mayer, it was no cakewalk. On Lap 3, he served a pass-through penalty for jumping the start from the second grid position, and in the late going, Mayer had a problem getting into third gear through the first two corners on the NASCAR oval.<\/p>\n

He persevered, as did Allgaier, who finished seventh after finishing third in Stage 1 and winning Stage 2\u2014his 15th stage win of the season.<\/p>\n

Exiting the Playoffs with Kligerman and Van Gisbergen were Riley Herbst and Sheldon Creed, victims of a pileup in Turn 17 on Lap 34. Herbst finished 32nd and Creed 35th.<\/p>\n

Interview:<\/h3>\n

NXS Race Winner – Sam Mayer (No.1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet) –<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – Drive for the Cure 250 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina<\/b><\/p>\n

Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course<\/b><\/p>\n

Concord, North Carolina<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, October 12, 2024<\/b><\/p>\n

                1. (2)  Sam Mayer (P), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                2. (3)  AJ Allmendinger (P), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                3. (1)  Shane Van Gisbergen # (P), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                4. (6)  Austin Hill (P), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                5. (7)  Chandler Smith (P), Toyota, 72.<\/p>\n

                6. (22)  Parker Kligerman (P), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                7. (9)  Justin Allgaier (P), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                8. (4)  Josh Bilicki, Toyota, 72.<\/span><\/p>\n

                9. (13)  Aric Almirola (P), Toyota, 72.<\/span><\/p>\n

                <\/span>10. (16)  Sammy Smith (P), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                11. (15)  Brandon Jones, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                12. (20)  Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                13. (14)  Cole Custer (P), Ford, 72.<\/p>\n

                14. (19)  Alex Labbe, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                15. (27)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                16. (11)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                17. (25)  Ryan Sieg, Ford, 72.<\/p>\n

                18. (10)  Connor Mosack(i), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                19. (8)  Jesse Love # (P), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                20. (21)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                21. (29)  Preston Pardus, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                22. (26)  Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 72.<\/p>\n

                23. (35)  Kyle Sieg, Ford, 72.<\/p>\n

                24. (37)  Dawson Cram(i), Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                25. (38)  Nathan Byrd, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                26. (31)  Brad Perez, Chevrolet, 72.<\/p>\n

                27. (36)  Dylan Lupton, Ford, 71.<\/p>\n

                28. (33)  Leland Honeyman #, Chevrolet, Accident, 65.<\/p>\n

                29. (28)  Sage Karam, Chevrolet, Brakes, 63.<\/p>\n

                30. (17)  Austin Green, Chevrolet, Engine, 58.<\/p>\n

                31. (30)  Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, 58.<\/p>\n

                32. (12)  Riley Herbst (P), Ford, Driveshaft, 57.<\/p>\n

                33. (34)  Blaine Perkins, Ford, 56.<\/p>\n

                34. (32)  Thomas Annunziata, Toyota, Accident, 52.<\/p>\n

                35. (5)  Sheldon Creed (P), Toyota, Accident, 38.<\/p>\n

                36. (23)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, Accident, 32.<\/p>\n

                37. (18)  Ed Jones, Toyota, Accident, 32.<\/p>\n

                38. (24)  Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, Accident, 32.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  66.29 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 28 Mins, 35 Secs. Margin of Victory:  1.474 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  7 for 20 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  12 among 8 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   S. Van Gisbergen # (P) 1-3;A. Allmendinger (P) 4-21;S. Van Gisbergen # (P) 22;J. Bilicki 23-32;S. Mayer (P) 33-34;C. Smith (P) 35;J. Allgaier (P) 36-41;C. Mosack(i) 42-45;S. Mayer (P) 46-54;C. Mosack(i) 55;S. Van Gisbergen # (P) 56-58;P. Kligerman (P) 59-70;S. Mayer (P) 71-72.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  AJ Allmendinger (P) 1 time for 18 laps; Sam Mayer (P) 3 times for 13 laps; Parker Kligerman (P) 1 time for 12 laps; Josh Bilicki 1 time for 10 laps; Shane Van Gisbergen # (P) 3 times for 7 laps; Justin Allgaier (P) 1 time for 6 laps; Connor Mosack(i) 2 times for 5 laps; Chandler Smith (P) 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 16,97,7,21,2,18,88,98,19,81<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 7,88,1,20,42,16,97,81,07,19<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service CONCORD, N.C.\u2014As Sam Mayer celebrated his drama-filled victory in Saturday\u2019s Drive for the Cure 250 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Parker Kligerman watched a replay of the whisker-close circumstance that knocked him out of the NASCAR Xfinity […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":48579,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[233,16,181,789],"class_list":["post-48573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-charlotte-motor-speedway","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-xfinity-series","tag-sam-mayer"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/GettyImages-2178144105-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-cDr","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48573"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48592,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48573\/revisions\/48592"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}