Denny Hamlin praises Sam Mayer turnaround following Mayer’s standout victory at Iowa Speedway last weekend, acknowledging a dramatic shift in the young NASCAR driver’s approach and results. The win marked a significant step in Mayer’s season, clinching his playoff spot and intensifying the championship conversation as NASCAR heads into its crucial stretch.
Hamlin Highlights Mayer’s Growth and Newfound Consistency
This week on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin examined Sam Mayer’s maturity and consistent performances after a rocky start to the season. Hamlin, referencing his own earlier criticism of Mayer, noted that the Wisconsin native has shown notable improvement and broadened his skill set beyond just excelling on road courses.
“It seems like Sam’s been doing a really good job lately of getting good finishes,”
—Denny Hamlin, Podcast Host
Hamlin also pointed to Mayer’s ability to win on various track types, highlighting recent successes that go beyond previous road course victories. His co-host Jared Allen joined the conversation, emphasizing the Iowa achievement as a milestone for the Haas Factory Team and manufacturer Ford winning the season. But first win for this new Haas team.”
—Jared Allen, Podcast Co-Host
Reflecting on Mayer’s struggles earlier this year, Hamlin recalled discussions about Mayer’s mindset and the perception among teams about his readiness for higher series competition. Hamlin stated,
“We had discussions about Sam probably earlier in the year where I think he was maybe doing something dumb,”
and went on,
“He was talking about how people weren’t looking at him to move up, and we were like, ‘well, that’s why.’”
—Denny Hamlin, Podcast Host
Mayer’s Commanding Iowa Performance Validates Changes
Mayer’s Iowa run delivered the strongest evidence yet of his evolution. Despite missing his pit box during a stop, he maintained composure and stormed through the field with speed that made the error irrelevant.
“I missed my pit box, but the car was so good it didn’t even matter,”
—Sam Mayer, Driver. Mayer’s car allowed him to quickly regain lost track position and sealed the win, which was celebrated by both himself and his team.
“We ran up through there — no problem. It was great.”
—Sam Mayer, Driver
After the final restart on Lap 234, Mayer’s No. 41 Ford powered past competitor Jesse Love, earning the landmark victory for the Haas Factory Team. Holding the trophy, Mayer expressed the significance,
“First win for Haas Factory Team, that’s awesome.”
—Sam Mayer, Driver
Hamlin, analyzing the Iowa win on his show, underlined how Mayer’s pace was never in doubt.
“He was fast all weekend. Wasn’t by accident by any means,”
—Denny Hamlin, Podcast Host. Mayer attributed his strong run partly to his affinity for the Iowa layout, noting,
“When you show up to a place you love and enjoy you just run better automatically.”
—Sam Mayer, Driver
The victory typified Mayer’s sharpened aggression—refined, not reckless—especially during critical restarts and short green-flag runs. Mayer explained,
“I could be aggressive on restarts. Really aggressive gaining that track position. Having new tires at the end, and the short-lap stints, I was able to get through there,”
—Sam Mayer, Driver. This measured intensity represents a clear departure from earlier mistakes that had previously drawn Hamlin’s scrutiny.
Impact on Playoff Picture and Mayer’s Career Momentum
Mayer’s latest triumph, his second consecutive at Iowa and eighth in his career, has put other drivers and teams on notice ahead of the playoffs. The victory demonstrates not only Mayer’s return to form but also the strength of his partnership with Haas and Ford, as well as the improved prospects for the team after breaking Connor Zilisch’s winning streak.
Hamlin summed up Mayer’s upward trajectory, stating,
“As long as he keeps doing things like this, certainly he’s doing a lot of good things,”
—Denny Hamlin, Podcast Host, positioning Mayer as a legitimate contender as the stakes increase this season. The turnaround has resonated with manufacturers, teams, and fans, setting the stage for heightened competition as the playoffs approach and reinforcing Mayer’s earned reputation among NASCAR’s elite.
