When JR Motorsports’ #1 driver began his Xfinity season, he was written off only as a potential winner after multiple rifts and on-track altercations. But Sam Mayer took those setbacks as valuable learning experiences and miraculously turned his season around. And now, his team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr can not be any prouder of his young driver.

Despite multiple wins, even Dale Jr was initially apprehensive of Mayer’s youth and immaturity, causing a hindrance in his championship pursuit. Proving Junior and the entire racing community wrong, the #1 driver showcased a performance worth remembering in the years to come. So, what did team owner Dale Jr. make of his 20-year-old track talent at the end of the season?

Dale Earnhardt Jr first believed Sam Mayer could cause Truck chaos in Xfinity finale

Sam Mayer had five Top 5 performances prior to his first Xfinity win at Road America 180 in 2023. And yet, his collisions with drivers like Ty Gibbs and Parker Kligerman overshadowed any conversation about his title contention. But Dale Earnhardt Jr’s racing prodigy was also a fast learner and wanted to shift the focus back to his racing skills. Three more wins soon followed and contrary to expectations, Mayer secured his place in the Championship 4 contenders for the Phoenix Raceway. 

Although Mayer finished the season in third place, the #1 Chevrolet driver raced with the same expertise and respect as his seasoned teammate Justin Allgaier. Dale Jr only had the highest regard for his 20-year-old driver after the championship race. In his podcast, The Dale Jr Download, the team owner of JR Motorsports, recalled the words he spoke as soon as Mayer got out of his car after finishing 5th at the 1-mile tri-oval. Junior said at that time, “Let me remind you that no one thought you would be here.” 

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“Nobody was gonna put Sam Mayer in the Championship 4. And you have come a hell of a long way as a driver from where you were at to start of the year.” Dale Jr further analyzed his final race. “He ran a really good race. He had some moments during that race, not just at the end either, in some other points during restarts and so forth where the old Sam Mayer could have came out and he could have knocked some people around and honestly, it would’ve been excusable because of his age and his past history.”

But the #1 driver did not let Junior down throughout the competitive race in which all four title contenders were often racing alongside at the front. Dale Jr admitted, “There were a few times where I was really watching him close, and I’m like, that was good patience. That was smart. He didn’t do the aggressive, inexperienced thing there… Sam maybe could have done things a little differently, but he didn’t do something that he has to excuse or regret or explain away. So I’m excited for him.” Junior then detailed his team’s Xfinity plans for the next year.

All four JR Motorsports drivers will vie for Championship 4 in the 2024 Xfinity Series

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The 2023 Xfinity season reaffirmed Dale Earnhardt Jr’s faith in his Championship 4 drivers. Along with Sam Mayer, JR Motorsports’ #7 driver Justin Allgaier finished second in the drivers’ ranking and nearly snatched away the title from Cole Custer in the final restart. Although his #9 driver could not qualify for the playoffs, Brandon Jones also showed immense potential this season.

Finally, Sammy Smith would be taking outgoing driver Josh Berry’s place in Junior’s team next season. Confirming the preparations going on in the off-season, Dale Jr said, “We get another year with him [Mayer]. Mardy [Lindley] will be back as his crew chief, and he is maturing. He took a big leap forward in maturity just as a man.”

As for the rest of them, Dale Jr reassured, “Justin’s program should be as is going forward. So will Sam’s. Those two cars made the final four. I think they’ll go into next year and continue to improve and be even stronger. No reason why they can’t try to both get back to the final four. We will work in the off-season to try to give Brandon and Sammy Smith both the same opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s loyal fans are also eagerly awaiting the 2024 season to watch the popular driver attain greater heights as a racer and champion team owner. And his drivers have all the reasons to be fired up for next season.

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