Sam Mayer secured the pole position for the Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at EchoPark Speedway, making him the top qualifier as the Sam Mayer NASCAR pole winner for Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event. The competition, which marks the second weekend of the season, takes place on NASCAR’s smallest drafting track, with drivers eager to gain momentum early in the year.
Race Schedule and Event Details
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race will begin Saturday at 5 p.m. ET on CW, with drivers facing 163 laps around EchoPark Speedway. Earlier in the day, the Craftsman Truck Series race is set for 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The weekend concludes Sunday with the Cup Series race at 3 p.m. ET on Fox, finishing a packed slate of racing just outside Atlanta.
Full Starting Lineup for the Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250
This weekend’s event features a competitive mix of new and veteran drivers vying for position. Below is the complete starting order based on qualifying:
Row 1: Sam Mayer | Carson Kvapil
Row 2: Taylor Gray | Sheldon Creed
Row 3: William Sawalich | Rajah Caruth
Row 4: Gio Ruggiero | Sammy Smith
Row 5: Corey Day | Jesse Love
Row 6: Justin Allgaier | Ryan Sieg
Row 7: Harrison Burton | Patrick Staropoli
Row 8: Brandon Jones | Joey Gase
Row 9: Dean Thompson | Kyle Sieg
Row 10: Mason Maggio | Austin Hill
Row 11: Josh Williams | Blaine Perkins
Row 12: Parker Retzlaff | Anthony Alfredo
Row 13: Jeb Burton | Ryan Ellis
Row 14: Luke Fenhaus | Nick Sanchez
Row 15: Garrett Smithley | Ross Chastain
Row 16: Austin Green | Jeremy Clements
Row 17: Brennan Poole | Lavar Scott
Row 18: Josh Bilicki | Cody Ware
Row 19: Chad Finchum | Nick Leitz
Row 20: Dawson Cram – DNQ
Current Standings and Season Developments
After last week’s opener at Daytona, Austin Hill leads the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings, thanks to his first-place finish at a drafting track. Justin Allgaier and Carson Kvapil are close behind, each looking to continue their strong starts, while other contenders such as Corey Day, William Sawalich, and Sam Mayer aim to improve their points totals in this second race of the season.
The NASCAR schedule this year features 33 races in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, providing plenty of opportunities for drivers like Harrison Burton, Rajah Caruth, and Jesse Love to move up in the rankings. With races hosted at a variety of tracks, including the unique setting of EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta, the lineup guarantees shifting dynamics in the standings as the season unfolds.
Playoff Chase Format and Series Structure
This year, NASCAR has adopted the Chase format for the Craftsman Truck Series, changing the playoff structure. Now, the final playoff segment will see 12 drivers compete for the championship starting from Race 25, rather than relying solely on cut races toward the end of the season. This adjustment is expected to intensify the championship race, ensuring consistent competition and creating added stakes for each event throughout the summer and fall.
Season Outlook and What to Watch
With a long campaign still ahead, drivers will look to establish early momentum at venues like Atlanta and beyond. Key players—such as Sam Mayer, Carson Kvapil, and Austin Hill—will not only be watched for their performance on drafting tracks but also for their ability to adapt as new challenges emerge and rivalries develop through the season. Racing fans can expect ongoing changes in standings and strategies, keeping the focus on weekend events, drivers’ progression, and the evolving playoff landscape in NASCAR.
NASCAR O'Reilly Atlanta starting lineup pic.twitter.com/329ZCSGrZj
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) February 20, 2026
