Drive for the Cure 250 2024 Full Results: The Drive for the Cure 250 was packed with action and surprises, leaving NASCAR fans on the edge of their seats. With playoff spots on the line, the race brought intense battles, lead changes, and unexpected twists. Sam Mayer took the victory, but the real story is the drama surrounding the eliminations of four key drivers. What went wrong, and how did Mayer pull off his big win?
Key Highlights
- Sam Mayer secured victory in the Drive for the Cure 250, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, marking his third win of 2024.
- The race featured 38 entries and lasted 2 hours, 28 minutes, with 12 lead changes among 9 drivers.
- Mayer took the lead during an overtime restart, finishing 1.474 seconds ahead of second-place AJ Allmendinger.
- Four drivers, including Parker Kligerman and Shane Van Gisbergen, were eliminated from the playoff contention following this race.
- The next race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 19, 2024.
Overview of the Drive for the Cure 250
The Drive for the Cure 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is a key race in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series. As the 29th race of the season and the second playoff race, it plays a big role for drivers fighting for the championship. The race started at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday, October 12, 2024, drawing lots of attention from fans and teams.
The race was full of excitement, with 38 drivers showing off their skills. It lasted just over two and a half hours, giving fans a thrilling view of stock car racing.
There were 12 lead changes between nine different drivers, showing just how competitive the race was. These constant changes kept everyone watching closely as teams managed their pit stops and tires to gain an advantage.
Throughout the race, seven caution flags came out, adding more challenges for the teams. Each caution forced drivers and crews to adjust their strategies based on how the track was changing, which played a big part in deciding the race’s final outcome.
Sam Mayer’s Victory and Top Finishers
Sam Mayer emerged victorious in the Drive for the Cure 250, showing his skill and the insight required to navigate the complexities of the race. Driving the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, Mayer secured his third win of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity season in a contest marked by intense competition and dramatic turns.
The pivotal moment came during overtime, when Mayer seized the lead from Parker Kligerman in a fierce battle in turn 7 on the final restart, demonstrating both bravery and precision. Crossing the finish line 1.474 moments ahead of AJ Allmendinger.
This victory reinforced his dominance at the Roval—marking his second consecutive win at this venue—and highlighted his growth as a contender in the series, bringing his career total to seven wins.
Behind Mayer, AJ Allmendinger delivered a commendable performance, finishing in second place, while Shane Van Gisbergen rounded out the podium in third. Austin Hill and Chandler Smith secured fourth and fifth positions, respectively, showcasing their competitive edge throughout the race.
Playoff Eliminations and Final Race Results
Navigating the NASCAR playoffs has proven to be a formidable challenge for several drivers, as evidenced by the recent eliminations following the Drive for the Cure 250. The race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway not only showcased the remarkable talent of Sam Mayer, who clinched victory, but also marked a pivotal moment for four contenders—Parker Kligerman, Shane Van Gisbergen, Riley Herbst, and Sheldon Creed—who fell short of advancing in the playoff standings.
The final results reflect a competitive landscape where each driver’s performance is scrutinized. Mayer’s win highlights his skill and consistency, but for the eliminated drivers, the harsh reality of playoff racing emerged. Kligerman and Van Gisbergen, both of whom had shown promise earlier in the season, now face the intimidating prospect of recalibrating their plans for future races.
| Car # | Driver |
| 1 | Sam Mayer |
| 16 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 97 |
Shane Van Gisbergen
|
| 21 | Austin Hill |
| 81 | Chandler Smith |
| 48 |
Parker Kligerman
|
| 7 | Justin Allgaier |
| 19 | Josh Bilicki |
| 20 | Aric Almirola |
| 8 | Sammy Smith |
| 9 | Brandon Jones |
| 31 | Parker Retzlaff |
| 0 | Cole Custer |
| 91 | Alex Labbe |
| 27 | Jeb Burton |
| 5 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 28 | Ryan Sieg |
| 88 | Connor Mosack |
| 2 | Jesse Love |
| 51 |
Jeremy Clements
|
| 50 | Preston Pardus |
| 38 | |
| 39 | Kyle Sieg |
| 92 | Dawson Cram |
| 14 | Nathan Byrd |
| 45 | Brad Perez |
| 15 | Dylan Lupton |
| 42 |
Leland Honeyman
|
| 7 | Sage Karam |
| 32 | Austin Green |
| 43 | Ryan Ellis |
| 98 | Riley Herbst |
| 29 | Blaine Perkins |
| 35 |
Thomas Annunziata
|
| 18 | Sheldon Creed |
| 11 | Josh Williams |
| 26 | Ed Jones |
| 44 | Brennan Poole |
Herbst and Creed, too, will need to reflect on their performances to reclaim their competitive edge.
As the NASCAR Xfinity Series gears up for the next challenge at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 19, the stakes remain high. The eliminated drivers must analyze their race data and adjust their tactics if they hope to return to playoff contention in the future.
News in Brief: Drive for the Cure 250 2024 Full Results
The Drive for the Cure 250 showed the competitive nature of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with Sam Mayer securing a remarkable victory that further solidifies his standing in the sport. The race not only highlighted Mayer’s skill but also emphasized the intensity of the playoffs, leading to considerable eliminations among contenders.
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