Chicago Street Course
Sunday, July 2, 2023
Race 16 of 33: The Loop 121 at Chicago Street Course
Track Specs: 2.14-mile street course / 55 laps
Race Winner: Cole Custer
Mayer’s finish: 18th
Point’s position: 7th (-190)
It was a series of unfortunate events for Sam Mayer, driver of the No. 1 Huck’s Market Chevrolet, at the Chicago Street Course due an on-track incident in qualifying Saturday that set him to start the race in the back of the pack. From there, Mayer looked poised to march toward the front, but the heavy rains didn’t allow that, leaving the JR Motorsports driver with an 18th-place finish in the inaugural event. Mayer climbed a total of 19 spots throughout the race and he currently sits 7th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series point standings.
Race Rundown
After an incident in Turn 12 during qualifying, Mayer was set to start Saturday afternoon’s event 14th, but was sent to the rear at the beginning of the race due to the repairs made on the No. 1 Huck’s Market Chevrolet. With the first caution of the day coming out on lap 4, Mayer was quiet on the radio as the laps continued to roll by. With no stage-ending cautions, the young driver recorded a 25th-place stage finish and continued on.
With the intent of staying out for the start of Stage Two, another yellow flag fell and the driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet reported he was losing rear stability and needed more drive. Crew chief Mardy Lindley called the Franklin, Wis. native down pit road for four tires, fuel and a slight air pressure adjustment. Mayer pulled off pit road and restarted 29th when the green flag dropped.
Mayer cruised up through the field and continued to climb on fresh tires to 18th until a lap 25 weather delay forced the cars to come down pit road and go under a red flag condition. After 90 minutes of waiting, the Loop 121 was pushed to Sunday morning. The attempt to resume on Sunday came to an abrupt close as the race was called due to flooding and Mayer settled for a rain-shortened 18th-place finish.
Sam Mayer, driver No. 1 Huck’s Market Chevrolet team
“It is pretty unfortunate that we had to finish this way because we had a really fast Huck’s Market Chevrolet and I am thankful that my No. 1 team held strong throughout this entire weekend. I wish we had a better points day but we have no control over the weather so we will pick our heads up and head to Atlanta to get back on track.”
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