Sam Mayer earned the pole position for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 held Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, recording a commanding qualifying lap that set him ahead of the competition. The No. 41 Ford driver posted a speed of 166.623 mph, narrowly outpacing Nick Sanchez to claim the coveted first starting spot.
During a post-qualifying pit interview conducted by CW Sports, Mayer shared his confidence in the performance of his car and team. Reflecting on his experience at the historic 2.5-mile asphalt oval, Mayer contrasted the current success with last year’s difficulties when he was involved in a crash early in the race. This qualifying achievement marks the fourth pole of his career and signals positive momentum for the season.
Reflections on Past Challenges and Growth
Mayer’s previous outing at Indianapolis was marked by an early wreck that eliminated him from contention on the first lap. He acknowledged this challenge as a learning experience which contributed to his development as a driver.
“I didn’t get a second lap,”
he stated.
“I’ve grown a lot as a driver. Kinda got my craft figured out a little bit.”
—Sam Mayer, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver
During the humorous pit interview, Mayer momentarily faced away from the camera before realizing his mistake, prompting laughter from the broadcast team and displaying his relaxed demeanor despite the intensity of qualifying.
“The camera is over here. That’s great.”
—Sam Mayer, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver
Team Performance and Season Prospects
The pole position reflects the steady progress of Mayer’s No. 41 Ford team, which is yet to secure a win this season despite an average finish of 10.7 in 20 starts. Mayer conveyed a determined attitude toward the upcoming race, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on the current momentum.
“We’re doing the job right,”
Mayer remarked.
“Let’s finish the job (during the Pennzoil 250).”
—Sam Mayer, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver
The upcoming race at Indianapolis offers an opportunity for Mayer and his team to convert their qualifying pace into a strong race performance, potentially breaking through for their first victory of the season.
Full Starting Grid for the Pennzoil 250 Event
The lineup for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway features a competitive field of drivers, with Sam Mayer leading the pack. Below is the full starting order by position, driver name, and car number:
1. Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
2. Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
3. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
4. Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
5. Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
6. Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota
7. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
8. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
9. William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
10. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
11. Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
12. Jermey Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
13. Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
14. Taylor Gray, No. 54 Taylor Gray
15. Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
16. Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
17. Leland Honeyman, No. 70
18. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
19. Kyle Larson, No. 17 Chevrolet
20. Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
21. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
22. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
23. Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
24. Katherine Legge, No. 32 Chevrolet
25. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99
26. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
27. Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
28. Kyle Seig, No. 28 Ford
29. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
30. Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet
31. Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet
32. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
33. Mason Massey, No. 45 Chevrolet
34. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
35. Logan Bearden, No. 07 Chevrolet
36. Joey Gase, No. 53 Chevrolet
37. Dawson Cram, No. 74 Chevrolet
38. David Starr, No. 35 Chevrolet
Anticipated Impact on the Season and Race Outlook
Securing pole position at a track as prestigious as Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a significant milestone for Sam Mayer and his team. It not only demonstrates their growing competitiveness in the NASCAR Xfinity Series but also positions them as strong contenders in the Pennzoil 250 race. The combination of Mayer’s maturing driving skills and the team’s consistent performance suggests they could challenge for a first win this season, offering fans a promising outlook as the race unfolds.