NASCAR has always been a battleground where legends are born, and stars continue to rise. Recently, the spotlight has been on Dale Earnhardt Jr and his young Xfinity sensation who won his 4th race of the season for JR Motorsports. This weekend at Homestead Miami, the driver of the #1 Chevrolet etched his name in NASCAR history by winning his first-ever oval race. The win also secured his place in the season finale, setting the stage for a cracking showdown at Phoenix.

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Sam Mayer secured his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series oval-race victory in Miami. In the Contender Boats 300, Mayer held off last week’s race winner, Riley Herbst, by a mere 0.227 seconds, marking his fourth series victory of the season and his Xfinity career.

Sam Mayer shares his thoughts on his first oval win in NASCAR

Driving the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet, the 20-year-old Wisconsin native led an impressive 46 laps, including the crucial final 30. However, in the closing moments, he brushed the wall exiting Turn 4, fighting to keep a fast-closing Herbst behind him. Mayer’s heart-pounding victory wasn’t just another win. It was his ticket into the Championship 4 finale at Phoenix.

Mayer’s journey to this pivotal moment has been nothing short of remarkable. He has been under the microscope, with his abilities on 1.5-mile-long tracks often questioned. However, the young driver has proven his mettle by winning four out of the past twelve races, showcasing his versatility and adaptability on diverse racing circuits.

In a recent conversation on the NASCAR Live podcast, Mayer shared his thoughts on this monumental achievement. He said, “Yeah, it was huge. I mean, getting that first win off your chest in general. But no matter what it is, it’s always huge. And being able to back it up with two more road course wins. Like you feel pretty pumped up and you’re excited about it. But the only other roadblock is getting into the art of oval because NASCAR is about circle track racing. And you wanna be able to do everything in the sport. And finally, being able to get that oval win is huge. It’s almost like another relief. It almost feels like your first win again. Obviously, this was probably one of the biggest of my career so far, locking into the Championship 4, and it couldn’t have come at a better place.”

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While all eyes were on Sam Mayer’s stellar performance at Homestead Miami, Dale Earnhardt Jr had a standout day of his own finishing in P5.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is already looking forward to racing in 2024

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The NASCAR legend secured a top-five finish, marking his first top-five result in the Xfinity Series since 2020. The race saw Earnhardt Jr involved in an incident that impacted his teammate, Josh Berry. Despite the challenge, the 49-year-old driver found himself in victory lane as the winning team owner, celebrating Sam Mayer’s victory and spot in the championship race.

As the racing community wonders about Earnhardt Jr’s plans for 2024, the racing icon hinted at a return to the track next year. While the exact location of his race has yet to be determined, he expressed a leaning toward Bristol, a track he ran at earlier in the season.

“That went so well, and I love the night race and the atmosphere there. That’s probably leading the pack right now, but only one next year, not two,” Earnhardt Jr said. The mention of Bristol evokes memories of his performance earlier in the season, despite facing mechanical issues that led to a 30th-place finish.

Earnhardt Jr humbly acknowledged the physical challenges of competing at his age and the need for practice. He confessed, “The driver wasn’t at his best physically. I kind of got tired. Not doing this every week. My body’s just not conditioned, and I certainly don’t work out. [The car] might have been able to run second, third, or fourth. Heck, if (Kyle) Larson was driving, it probably would have won the race, but I’ll take a fifth place, 49 years old, only do this once or twice a year, hardly no practice.”

READ MORE: “Stress Level Is Really High” – Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Rival Spills the Beans as Race to Championship Reaches Final Leg

Whether you’re a Mayer fan reveling in his success, or a Dale Jr fan eagerly awaiting his return, there’s no shortage of drama and action in the world of NASCAR.