A new deal with JR Motorsports as a 17-year-old to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next year onwards. A first NASCAR Truck Series win on Thursday. Another win in the ARCA Menards Series, to complete a Bristol Motor Speedway sweep. This week could not have gone any better for Sam Mayer.
The youngster who is racing in both the ARCA Menards Series and the Truck Series this year registered his first-ever win in the Truck Series. At 17 years, 2 months, and 22 days, Sam Mayer became the second-youngest winner in NASCAR Truck Series history.
The record is held by Cup Series driver Cole Custer, who was 16 years. 7 months, and 28 days when he won in 2014.
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Look at this kid go!
Retweet to congratulate @sam_mayer_ on winning tonight's Gander Trucks race at @BMSupdates! pic.twitter.com/OJQCiR1IHB
— NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
Sam Mayer continues to defy odds
Not part of the playoff scenario, Mayer raced to victory as Brett Moffitt and Tanner Gray finished behind him. He took the lead from Moffitt with 30 laps to go and held on for the win.
“What? Oh my gosh, Bristol dude. I love this place. This is win number three for me here and I don’t know what to say,” Mayer said after his win in the Truck race.
“I can’t thank the guys at the shop enough. They work their tails off. We fired off so good. That feels so good. Wow,” Mayer added.
NEWS: @sam_mayer_'s No. 24 Gander Truck clears post-race inspection at @BMSupdates.
Tonight's victory is official! pic.twitter.com/ba8KfCkFeR
— NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
The teenager is already a star in the ARCA Menards Series. When asked if he was capable of winning a race in the Truck Series so early in his career, Mayer said, “Not really. I knew the team was, I knew that everybody who is part of the (No.) 24 team..I knew they could do it.
“I just had to come here and perform. That last pit stop put us in a perfect place. We’ve got two more Truck races this year, so all that momentum is awesome,” he continued.
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In the midst of a purple patch
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He came back on the track a few hours later and raced to victory in the ARCA Menards Series to complete the double at the Bristol Motor Speedway. He also became the youngest NASCAR Truck race winner at Bristol.
Earlier this week, Mayer signed a deal with JR Motorsports. As per the deal, he will race in the Xfinity Series during the second half of the 2021 season. He will race there full-time come 2022.