
Sam Mayer Wins In Overtime At Charlotte ROVAL To Advance To Round Of 8
by Hunter Thomas October 12, 2024 1 commentCONCORD, N.C. – Sam Mayer is advancing to the Round of 8 of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs after winning the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina in NASCAR Overtime at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.
Mayer, who started on the front row with Shane Van Gisbergen, immediately jumped the start and had to serve a pass thru penalty under green. He entered the race 13 points below the Round of 8 cutline, and in Stage 1, he missed out on valuable Stage points; however, he battled back to finish third in Stage 2, and in NASCAR Overtime, Mayer passed Playoff contender, Parker Kligerman to win his third race of the season.
“It’s all thanks to the good Lord above,” Mayer said. “He has blessed me with a lot of issues this year, learning moments, but to come out here at Charlotte Motor Speedway and to go back-to-back with a fast, fast car…to do it at home It’s something special.”
The winning move Mayer made on Kligerman saved his season, but it ended Kligerman’s.
“We were all crossed up getting into there,” Mayer said. “I was loose into (Turn) 6, and I knew it was my only shot if I got a good angle. He blocked the bottom, which was good for me. It gave me a better angle up off the corner and this QPS Employment Chevrolet hooked up, and we were gone from there.”
Kligerman was inches away from winning the race, but the caution came out just prior to him crossing the line for the final lap. After contact with Mayer in Overtime, Kligerman fell back and finished sixth.
AJ Allmendinger finished second, followed by Gisbergen who also missed out on advancing despite the strong performance. Austin Hill and Chandler Smith completed the top-five. Rounding out the top-10 was Kligerman, Justin Allgaier, Josh Bilicki, Aric Almirola and Sammy Smith.
There were 12 lead changes among eight drivers. Allmendinger led a race high of 18 laps.
The caution came out seven times, for 20 laps. A big, nine-car crash on the frontstretch on Lap 35 took Playoff contenders, Riley Herbst and Sheldon Creed out of contention and the Playoffs. Herbst finished 32nd, and Creed finished 35th.
Although he was almost eliminated from the Playoffs, Allgaier now leads in the standings by seven points. Cole Custer is advancing and so is Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, Jesse Love and Sammy Smith.
The opening race of the Round of 8 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series will take place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 19. Live coverage of the Ambetter Health 302 will broadcast on the CW at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: Mitchell White/TheFourthTurn.com
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