Sam Mayer secured the top position during NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leading a competitive field for the race on Saturday. This achievement marks Mayer’s fourth career pole and puts his No. 41 Ford team in a favorable spot as they continue seeking their first victory of the season.
Sam Mayer Reflects on Improvement and Focus
During post-qualifying interviews, Sam Mayer showed confidence and a lighthearted attitude following his strong performance at the historic 2.5-mile oval. After grabbing the pole, Mayer turned his back to the camera before a CW Sports reporter redirected his attention, adding a touch of humor to the exchange. He expressed belief in his team’s capabilities:
“I knew we would be really good … confident …”
—Sam Mayer, Driver
Building on lessons from previous races, including a significant crash on Lap 1 last year, Mayer discussed his growth as a competitor:
“I didn’t get a second lap,”
—Sam Mayer, Driver
“I’ve grown a lot as a driver. Kinda got my craft figured out a little bit.”
—Sam Mayer, Driver
This qualifying session showcased Mayer’s progress, with a fast lap speed of 166.623 mph—just 0.046 seconds ahead of Nick Sanchez. The No. 41 Ford team has produced steady results across 20 starts this season, maintaining an average finish of 10.7 while aiming for their first trip to victory lane. After the run, Mayer summed up his team’s determination:
“Let’s finish the job (during the Pennzoil 250).”
—Sam Mayer, Driver
Pennzoil 250 Starting Field at Indianapolis
The starting lineup for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 brings together experienced and emerging talents for Saturday’s contest at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The grid features drivers representing teams such as Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota, and several key contenders will be looking to capitalize on their starting positions.
Starting Positions for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250:
1. Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
2. Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
3. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
4. Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
5. Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
6. Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota
7. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
8. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
9. William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
10. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
11. Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
12. Jermey Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
13. Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
14. Taylor Gray, No. 54
15. Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
16. Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
17. Leland Honeyman, No. 70
18. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
19. Kyle Larson, No. 17 Chevrolet
20. Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
21. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
22. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
23. Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
24. Katherine Legge, No. 32 Chevrolet
25. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99
26. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
27. Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
28. Kyle Seig, No. 28 Ford
29. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
30. Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet
31. Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet
32. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
33. Mason Massey, No. 45 Chevrolet
34. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
35. Logan Bearden, No. 07 Chevrolet
36. Joey Gase, No. 53 Chevrolet
37. Dawson Cram, No. 74 Chevrolet
38. David Starr, No. 35 Chevrolet
What Mayer’s Pole Means for the Pennzoil 250
Sam Mayer’s pole position brings optimism for his Ford team as the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 approaches. Having learned from past challenges at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Mayer enters the event as a leading contender, with competitors like Nick Sanchez and Sheldon Creed aiming to challenge for the win. As the full lineup is now set, fans and teams alike anticipate a highly competitive race that could influence the trajectory of the current season and highlight emerging stars within the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is the Xfinity series?
A. The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) is a stock car racing competition put together by NASCAR.
Q. How does the Xfinity series work?
A. Throughout all 33 races this season, each racing manufacturer gathered points. The Manufacturer’s Championship is given out when the season ends. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, 12 drivers compete in three rounds during the final seven races.
