The NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Martinsville escalated in dramatic fashion after Sam Mayer deliberately spun Jeb Burton following the race, drawing sharp disapproval from Denny Hamlin on his Actions Detrimental podcast. Denny Hamlin on Sam Mayer became the focus of fan and driver debate as the racing world awaited NASCAR’s disciplinary response.
The moment erupted when tensions between Mayer and Burton boiled over after persistent on-track contact, culminating in Mayer’s unexpected spin of Burton post-race. Fortunately, both emerged unharmed. Hamlin, a respected Joe Gibbs Racing veteran, strongly condemned Mayer’s retaliation, arguing that such actions crossed the line into unacceptable territory.
“Sam Mayer after the race, I don’t know what he was doing. That was a bad call, and I don’t know if he’s racing this weekend. I wish I had a good answer for you. Wrecking someone after the caution into the wall, no, probably not.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver and Podcast Host.
Hamlin explained that while heated exchanges during races are to be expected, deliberate wrecking once the competition has ended falls outside the boundaries of competitive spirit. He remarked on his podcast that Mayer’s explanation in a post-race interview would do little to help his case.
“I didn’t have any issues with the back-and-forth on track until the checkered flag. And then in his interview, it just didn’t help. I’m not gonna pile on because I think he’s gonna have a bad week. It just didn’t help… I think he’s watching Phoenix.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver and Podcast Host.
Tempers Flare Between Mayer and Burton in Aftermath
The fallout from the incident extended beyond the wreck itself, with both Sam Mayer and Jeb Burton taking verbal shots at each other in post-race interviews. Frustration bubbled over as each accused the other of unsportsmanlike driving, with Burton expressing feeling wronged by Mayer despite his history of racing cleanly.
“I think Sam was mad that last week he got taken out in an accident at Talladega and he was acting like a child like Sam is. We’re on old tires at the end of Stage 1, I believe. And he shipped me out of the way, I think we all saw that, I was on the front row, for no reason. I’ve always raced Sam really clean, never had a problem with him.”
— Jeb Burton, Driver.
Burton’s anger went further, with his outburst echoed down pit road as he stated,
“He’s a punk and everyone knows it.”
— Jeb Burton, Driver. He admitted he would have confronted Mayer directly had he not been stopped at the far end of pit road, hinting that physical words may have followed if given the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Sam Mayer attempted to justify his actions against Burton. He claimed he had not been treated fairly and saw his move as a necessary wake-up call for Burton. However, Mayer expressed regret for the collateral damage suffered by Jordan Anderson due to the wreck.
“I honestly hate it for Jordan. Jordan is one of the coolest guys in the garage, he’s worked his tail off to get to this point. Definitely regret wrecking one of his race cars after competition is over. But Jeb needs a wake-up call, that brother, he does not have the it factor, he has the different factor.”
— Sam Mayer, Driver.
Hamlin Predicts a Suspension as the Series Heads Toward Finale
Denny Hamlin’s perspective mirrored widespread frustration within the sport’s fan base, as both Mayer and Burton have histories of inconsistent on-track performance despite strong financial and technical backing. The escalating exchange of personal insults and accusations underscored deeper concerns about conduct and the psychological toll of the Xfinity Series.
Hamlin forecasted that the consequences for Mayer would be severe, expecting that NASCAR would issue a suspension that would see Mayer sidelined for the series finale in Phoenix. He highlighted that post-race retaliation is viewed far more harshly than incidents during active racing and that Mayer’s own words may have sealed his fate with officials. Mayer’s comments, Hamlin warned, not only showed little remorse but could further support the case against him.
The mounting tension also raised questions about sportsmanship and discipline within NASCAR as the spotlight now shifts to how the league will handle behavior on and off the track. With the Xfinity Series finale on the horizon, speculation is growing that Mayer will have to watch the highly anticipated Phoenix race from home, a penalty that would have major consequences for his reputation and season.
As NASCAR prepares to announce its decision, the incident has sparked vigorous debate about limits, consequences, and culture in professional stock car racing. The coming days are expected to set a precedent on how post-race retaliation is addressed in one of motorsport’s most fiercely competitive environments.
.@sam_mayer_ was not happy with @JebBurtonRacing after the race. pic.twitter.com/PIrQHCTTY9
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) October 26, 2025
.@JebBurtonRacing sounds off about @sam_mayer_
“He’s a punk and everyone knows it.”
Jeb was hoping to get to Sam post-race but was stopped at the opposite end of pit road.
He says there would not have been much talking. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/rPtriIx8Sx
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) October 26, 2025
