Sam Mayer’s had already secured a playoff position and entered Saturday’s World Wide Technology Raceway event looking to gain momentum heading into next week’s opener. He started fourth and wasted no time moving the Audibel Ford forward. Mayer climbed to third with a strong pass on Nick Sanchez in the opening circuits. Though the car began to tighten up as the run wore on, Mayer remained competitive, securing a solid sixth-place finish in Stage One.

Quick adjustments between stages kept Mayer moving forward in Stage Two. Restarting ninth, he quickly gained ground and raced up to fifth by lap 55. Mayer noted the car felt better in traffic, and he used that to his advantage while holding steady inside the top 10. Although the car tightened up again late in the run, he still closed out the stage 10th.

The closing stage Mayer continued to run inside the top 10 and was ninth with just over 30 laps remaining. He was positioned for another strong finish before a multi-car crash ahead collected him, leaving his car heavily damaged. Mayer finished 35th but optimistic heading into the playoffs as him one of the series’ most consistent and competitive drivers this season.

“We had a rough one, we went through the ringer,” said Mayer. “Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to but still really proud of everybody for staying in the game all day. I feel that we were at our best at the very end. So, we were going to come and make it interesting there at the end. Super proud of everybody and looking forward to the playoffs. It’s going to be a heater.”

00 Sheldon Creed

Sheldon Creed locked up a playoff spot during Saturday’s race at World Wide Technology. Starting 15th, he quickly settled into a rhythm and gained ground early, moving the Road Ranger Ford into 14th in the opening laps. Feeling the car out throughout the stage, Creed wanted a little more ability to maintain throttle through the turns. Adjustments were planned as Creed ended Stage One just outside the top-10.

At the stage break, Creed’s team made chassis and air pressure adjustments that paid immediate dividends. Restarting 12th, he maintained his position and ran strong through the segment. Though the car continued to tighten up as the run progressed, Creed kept the No. 00 in striking distance and closed Stage Two in 13th. His ability to hold steady in the mid-pack set the foundation for a strong push in the final and longest stage.

As Stage Three progressed, Creed adjusted his line through Turn 3, and quickly surged into the top 10 and was running as high as eighth. After a caution and pit stop, he restarted sixth and wasted no time powering into the top five. Another caution though, and the subsequent restart proved to be a defining moment for the double zero. Creed experience a mechanical issue on the restart and couldn’t take off in third gear, causing others to collide with him from the rear. Despite the damage Creed fought hard to the finish, ultimately coming home 30th.

“We were looking at a top-five finish there in our Road Ranger Ford Mustang,” said Creed. “Yeah, never had that happen before, I just went to go shift to third and I don’t know if the gear broke right away or something broke in there and kind of jammed me in third and I didn’t have third gear. I hate that it tore up so many cars and got our teammate. Just ruined what was going to be a decent night for us.”

Up Next

Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, TN)

The Xfinity series – Friday, September 12th at 6:30PM on the CW Network.

The NASCAR Cup Series – Saturday, September 13th at 6:30pm on USA Newtwork

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