Jeb Burton became a central figure in the Sam Mayer Talladega playoff crash during the United Rentals 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, a collision that dramatically affected the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff field. The early accident eliminated several contenders and reshaped the ongoing playoff battle just ahead of the final elimination race at Martinsville.
Details of the Early Multi-Car Crash
The first shock of the race struck on lap 15, triggered when Jeb Burton’s No. 27 Chevrolet made contact with Sheldon Creed’s No. 00 Ford, resulting in a multi-car pile-up. Caught in the aftermath were Sam Mayer, Ryan Sieg, Brendan “Butterbean” Queen, and Jeremy Clements. The impact of the crash was immediate, forcing both Haas Factory Team drivers, Creed and Mayer, out of the race with major damage and dropping them below the playoff elimination line. As the standings sit, Creed is 41 points behind and Mayer trails by 22 points, both now needing strong performances at Martinsville to advance.
Following the incident, Burton took to social media to post a replay and deliver a public apology. In his words:
“Hate this happened. The 00 is on the 18 and I’m on the 00. This part of the track the cars are on edge. The lane checked up a hair and we all got super loose. When that happened it shot my car up the hill into the 20. Sorry to everyone involved,” Burton wrote.
– Jeb Burton, Xfinity Series Driver
Chain Reaction Alters the Race
The crash unfolded when the pack condensed while exiting the tri-oval section. Creed’s Ford slowed slightly after a push from Burton, and the resulting chain reaction sent cars spinning. Brandon Jones, driving the No. 20 Toyota, became part of the melee, absorbing front-end damage yet managing to finish the event in 26th place, albeit 16 laps down. In comparison, Creed, Mayer, Sieg, Queen, and Clements retired immediately, all credited with DNFs at lap 15. The turmoil expanded to Anthony Alfredo and Jordan Anderson, who likewise could not continue past lap 17 due to lingering chaos.
Despite being the catalyst in this major incident, Jeb Burton managed to battle back and remain in the top ten through most of the final stage, though he ultimately slipped to a 17th-place finish after losing momentum late in the race. Meanwhile, Harrison Burton narrowly avoided the worst and finished 13th, showcasing just how fine the line was between disaster and recovery on superspeedway grounds.
Battles and Setbacks Shape the United Rentals 250
Beyond the early pile-up, the United Rentals 250 delivered five cautions in total and saw a dramatic sequence of events. A separate multi-car accident required red flags for extensive track repairs on the front stretch, with the SAFER barrier sustaining visible damage. The closing laps brought further tension—a late caution with just two laps remaining occurred when Aric Almirola spun on the straightaway, setting up an overtime finish and reshuffling the order yet again.
Jeb Burton was positioned inside the top five for the final restart, offering hope for a strong recovery. However, the closing moments did not favor him, and he dropped out of the top ten by the time the checkered flag waved. Sharing his perspective post-race, Burton commented:
“I thought this was going to work out well.”
– Jeb Burton, Xfinity Series Driver
Implications for Playoff Drivers and Next Steps
For Burton, whose season does not include playoff eligibility, this race highlighted the perils unique to Talladega’s pack racing, where a slight miscalculation can swiftly change destinies for many. His readiness to accept responsibility emphasized the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of superspeedway competition, especially with stakes so high for those fighting for playoff advancement.
The ripple effect from the early crash remains pronounced, as the removal of both Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed from contention has thrown the playoff grid into greater uncertainty ahead of Martinsville’s elimination race. The early drama paved the way for other stories as well—Austin Hill capitalized by winning the event, ensuring Richard Childress Racing’s place in the owners’ Championship 4. Meanwhile, teams and drivers now refocus their strategies for next weekend, aware that one move can once again reset the playoff race at a moment’s notice.
Hate this happened. The 00 is on the 18 and I’m on the 00. This part of the track the cars are on edge. The lane checked up a hair and we all got super loose. When that happened it shot my car up the hill into the 20. Sorry to everyone involved. https://t.co/xR589m1gSa
— Jeb Burton (@JebBurtonRacing) October 19, 2025
I thought this was going to work out well. pic.twitter.com/dSZqeYHxRv
— Jeb Burton (@JebBurtonRacing) October 19, 2025
