More joy awaits Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the #1 becomes #1. As the two-time Xfinity Series champion made a solid return with a P5 finish, JR Motorsports piled up on his happiness. #1 driver for JRM, Sam Mayer locked into the Championship 4 and became the first driver to do so despite a last-minute hindrance.

T driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet showcased a determined approach to win on the 1.5-mile track after a particular affinity with road course races this season. Teammate Justin Allgaier had a relatively unfortunate outing as he stays behind the top 4 places by a narrow margin. As things stand, Martinsville will be a last-ditch try for JRM to send two of their drivers into the ultimate race of the season.

Sam Mayer leads JRM and Dale Earnhardt Jr. into Phoenix

Things could have turned out worse for Sam Mayer had the contact with the wall in the final lap been harder. The last 12 races have brought 4 wins for him but none of them had been 1.5-mile-tracks either. He had finished P35 or below in three of this season’s five such races but took full advantage of his pace this time around.

Overjoyed at overcoming the #1 team’s inability on an Oval, the 20-year-old said, “That’s unreal. We won on an oval. Wooow!”

Sam Mayer also thanked the HMS engines for lending their strength claiming it was pivotal in a finish that could have turned out either way for him. ” I can’t believe it. These guys, the Camaro today was so good like. Obviously, the 00 was as fast as Xfinity 10G, but so were we. So it’s all about putting a full race together. I’m so proud of these guys, they kicked tail on pit road and we made it happen with these HMS engines. “

Prior to Homestead, the victor had finished 35th, 37th, and 38th at Las Vegas, Charlotte, and Kansas, respectively. A long wait for an oval win also ended on an auspicious day for the team. Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. also produced a sublime outing to round up the day.

Justin Allgaier will await Martinsville with hunger as the course of events has confirmed that at least two drivers will qualify on the basis of points. One point separates the #7 driver and Sam Mayer, who is in fourth but has a win to his name. John Hunter Nemechek, Cole Custer, and Austin Hill occupy the top 3 places, respectively.

Read More: Dale Earnhardt Jr Unravels Dirt Car Drivers Homestead Favoritism With Shocking 4-Word Revelation

Another big race from Hotrod Riley Herbst

Trending

Rick Hendrick Shuts Down Hendrick Motorsports, Asserting Dominance Over the Grid During the Olympic Break

Despite Being Forced to Sell His House, Kevin Harvick Recalls How He Relished Proving Doubters Wrong With Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Vision

Tony Stewart Reveals “It’s Going to Frustrate the Daylights Out of Me” as $526.78 Billion Worth Sponsor Pits Smoke’s Talent Against Fans

NASCAR Rumors: Jimmie Johnson Finally Hanging Up His Firesuit Amidst Legacy Motor Club’s Mass Firing

Tony Stewart Angered His 300 Employees After Losing It All in NASCAR, Claims Kevin Harvick’s Ex-Crew Chief

Riley Herbst, meanwhile, put up a strong challenge and looked to get two on the trot after dominating at Las Vegas last week. Using the first two stages to get steady inside the top 10, he brought in a stronger car in the last stage to bridge the gap between him and Mayer.

In the final lap of the race, Herbst went as close as almost touching the #1 Camaro’s bumper and earned the benefit of the doubt, had there been another lap until the checkered flag.

Sam Mayer was quick to appreciate a great race with Herbst as he sent out a respectful gesture to all the teams out there.

“Stewart-Haas had it today. That’s for sure. It’s just really cool to be able to beat an amazing organization like that so… Riley’s definitely turned it on and we got to turn it on a little harder going into Phoenix.”

Watch This Story: Jeff Gordon’s Take on Denny Hamlin’s Villain Persona

JR Motorsports will want to maximize their chances of a championship by sending Allgaier to Phoenix, but should Herbst come up with another such display, things could certainly get harder.