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Sam Mayer Advances with Controversial Roval Victory

Sam Mayer

Sam Mayer celebrating in Victory Lane after winning the Drive for Cure 250 at the Charlotte Roval. (Photo: Jennie Mae Lingle | The Podium Finish)

CONCORD, N.C. — Coming into the Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte Roval, defending winner Sam Mayer was below the cut line most likely in need of a win to advance. He did just that in a finish that sparked discussion for hours following the checkered flag.

It started with nine laps to go when Parker Kligerman, who announced it would be his final full-time season in NASCAR, passed Shane van Gisbergen who had on older tires for the lead. Kligerman, who was in search of his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, began pulling away from the field.

However, with two to go in the race, Leland Honeyman blew a left front tire, causing his No. 42 car to slam into a tire barrier and get stuck underneath it. There was no caution until the white flag was waving and Kligerman was just feet away from the line to take it.

NASCAR ruled that the caution came out before Kligerman crossed the start/finish line and the race went into overtime.

Sam Mayer

Sam Mayer doing a burnout on the front straightaway after winning the Drive for Cure 250 at the Charlotte Roval. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

On the ensuing restart, Kligerman was unable to hold onto the lead and Mayer claimed the win.

“To do it (win) at home is something special,” Mayer said. “This (No.) 1 car was fast today but we certainly had to work for it.”

The win is the third of the year for Mayer and the first since Iowa in June. Mayer knew his opportunity to take the win was on the initial lap in overtime, saying Kligerman set him up as they approached the back straightaway portion of the course.

“We (He and Kligerman) were all crossed up getting up in there (Turn 7),” said Mayer. “I was loose getting into (Turn) 6, and I knew that was my only shot if I got a good angle into that corner. He blocked the bottom, which was good for me in that it gave me a better angle up off the corner and got this Chevrolet hooked up, and we were gone from there. Now, I get to celebrate.”

Parker Kligerman

Parker Kligerman on pit road following a heart-breaking sixth-place finish at the Charlotte Roval. (Photo: Jennie Mae Lingle | The Podium Finish)

On the opposite side of the celebration for Mayer was the defeat of Kligerman, coming so close to the elusive first career win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

“I teared up when I thought we got it there at the white flag, then the caution comes out, and we had to re-focus,” said Kligerman. “I thought I cut off Turn 7 enough, but he (Mayer) somehow got below me, and then it was on from there.”

It was the second runner-up finish of the season for Kligerman, which came at Atlanta and he also finished a close third at Daytona. Kligerman also saw his final postseason run come to an end early as he needed a win to advance to the Round of 8.

“Now I want to cry,” Kligerman said. “I’m not going to cry, but I really love this game, and it would’ve meant the world.”

Sam Mayer

Sam Mayer after doing a burnout celebrating with his No. 1 team behind him at the Charlotte Roval. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

AJ Allmendinger finished in second place, his first time not winning at the Roval in his fifth start there in the NASCAR  Xfinity Series. The result plus a stage victory was good enough to advance on points to the Round of 8.

Justin Allgaier came home seventh, earning 48 total points and surviving a first-round elimination scare. With the points reset for the new round Allgaier is now back at the top of the points standings heading into Las Vegas.

The three other drivers eliminated along with Kligerman were van Gisbergen who finished in third place, Riley Herbst who finished in 32nd and Sheldon Creed who came home 35th. Both Herbst and Creed were involved in a pileup on Lap 34.

Points Standings (Race 3/3 in the Round of 12)

  1. Sammy Smith (ADVANCED)
  2. Sam Mayer (ADVANCED)
  3. Chandler Smith (ADVANCED)
  4. Cole Custer (ADVANCED)
  5. Austin Hill (ADVANCED)
  6. AJ Allmendinger (ADVANCED)
  7. Justin Allgaier (ADVANCED)
  8. Jesse Love (ADVANCED)
  9. Shane van Gisbergen (ELIMINATED)
  10. Parker Kligerman (ELIMINATED)
  11. Riley Herbst (ELIMINATED)
  12. Sheldon Creed (ELIMINATED)

Stage 1 Top 10 Results

  1. AJ Allmendinger
  2. Shane van Gisbergen
  3. Justin Allgaier
  4. Austin Hill
  5. Jesse Love
  6. Sheldon Creed
  7. Connor Mosack
  8. Riley Herbst
  9. Josh Bilicki
  10. Chandler Smith

Stage 2 Top 10 Results

  1. Justin Allgaier
  2. Connor Mosack
  3. Sam Mayer
  4. Aric Almirola
  5. Leland Honeyman
  6. AJ Allmendinger
  7. Shane van Gisbergen
  8. Chandler Smith
  9. Sage Karam
  10. Josh Bilicki

Drive for the Cure 250 at the Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway Finishing Results

Finish Start Car No. Driver Sponsor/Make Status
1 2 1 Sam Mayer (P) QPS Employment Group Chevrolet Running
2 3 16 AJ Allmendinger (P) Campers Inn RV Chevrolet Running
3 1 97 Shane van Gisbergen (R) (P) WeatherTech Chevrolet Running
4 6 21 Austin Hill (P) Bennett Transportation Chevrolet Running
5 7 81 Chandler Smith (P) Wheelers Toyota Running
6 22 48 Parker Kligerman (P) Spiked Lite Coolers Chevrolet Running
7 9 7 Justin Allgaier (P) Jarrett Logistics Chevrolet Running
8 4 19 Josh Bilicki Insurance King Toyota Running
9 13 20 Aric Almirola Samaritan’s Purse Toyota Running
10 16 8 Sammy Smith (P) Pilot Flying J Chevrolet Running
11 15 9 Brandon Jones Menards/Delta Faucets Chevrolet Running
12 20 31 Parker Retzlaff Carolina Cowboys Chevrolet Running
13 14 00 Cole Custer (P) Andy’s Frozen Custard Ford Running
14 19 91 Alex Labbe DGM Racing Chevrolet Running
15 27 27 Jeb Burton BG Products Chevrolet Running
16 11 5 Anthony Alfredo Dude Wipes Chevrolet Running
17 25 28 Ryan Sieg Sci Apps Ford Running
18 10 88 Connor Mosack (i) Apollo Pex Chevrolet Running
19 8 2 Jesse Love (R) (P) Whelen Chevrolet Running
20 21 51 Jeremy Clements Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet Chevrolet Running
21 29 50 Preston Pardus Chinchor Electric Co. Chevrolet Running
22 26 38 Matt DiBenedetto ReMA Ford Running
23 35 39 Kyle Sieg RSS Racing Ford Running
24 37 92 Dawson Cram (R) Trade with Pros Chevrolet Running
25 38 14 Nathan Byrd ASAP Commercial Doors Chevrolet Running
26 31 45 Brad Perez KSDT/Loose is Fast Podcast Chevrolet Running
27 33 15 Dylan Lupton Lupton Excavation Ford Running
28 36 42 Leland Honeyman (R) DPR Construction Chevrolet Accident
29 33 07 Sage Karam Kellum Law Firm Chevrolet Brakes
30 28 32 Austin Green 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Engine
31 30 43 Ryan Ellis Classic Collision Chevrolet Running
32 12 98 Riley Herbst (P) Monster Energy Ford Driveshaft
33 34 29 Blaine Perkins To The POINT Ford Running
34 32 35 Thomas Annunziata NFPA Toyota Accident
35 5 18 Sheldon Creed (P) Friends on Jaclyn Foundation Toyota Accident
36 23 11 Josh Williams Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet Accident
37 18 26 Ed Jones Toyota Racing Development Toyota Accident
38 24 44 Brennan Poole Macc Door Systems Chevrolet Accident

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