Sam Mayer on not being named for potential Cup Series rides: ‘It kind of pisses me off’

In the last season and a half, Sam Mayer has won six times in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. So, why isn’t he a Cup Series prospect? There are a number of seats open, but Mayer hasn’t been named among the favorites to land one of those rides.

Stewart-Haas Racing is selling all four of their Cup Series charters. Martin Truex Jr. is retiring after this season. Harrison Burton appears to be on the way out of Wood Brothers Racing. Does that mean Sam Mayer has a chance to land a seat?

Only John Hunter Nemechek has more Xfinity wins since 2023 than Mayer. Last season, the No. 1 car won at Road America, Watkins Glen, the Roval, and Homestead-Miami. This season he already has wins at Texas and Iowa.

After his victory yesterday, Mayer was asked how it feels to be seemingly overlooked by Cup Series teams despite the 20-year-old’s performance.

“Yeah, it kind of pi--es me off, to be honest with you. I feel like we’ve proved ourselves a lot more. Like, I’m dead serious it makes me so mad that my name isn’t in more hats for race teams. So, hopefully, today kind of put my name in a couple of them. We’re working really hard I want to go Sunday racing, obviously, one day. How soon? I don’t know.

“But me the 98, all those guys, like there’s so many people up in the top-5, top-10 that have something to prove. If you can be top dog in those guys, I feel like you deserve it. So I’m putting a hole out there literally. I’m going to say stupid things but apologize later after I go win.”

Sam Mayer has six wins in the Xfinity Series. He is a two-time ARCA East champion. There are valid reasons why Mayer is not a Cup Series prospect, yet. Again, he is 20 years old and won his first Xfinity Series race last year.

A lot more than wins earns you a Cup Series ride. Sponsorship has not always been the best for Mayer. His general attitude, and answers like the one above, are also reasons why. Not to mention he has 4 DNFs to his 2 wins.

While the wins are there, the eye test also feels lacking. You never watch Sam Mayer and “ooh” and “ahh” at his race craft or car control. I was more impressed with Corey Heim running P3 at Iowa for Sam Hunt Racing than I was with Mayer’s win for JR Motorsports.

Sam Mayer is not ready for the Cup Series right now. That is fine. He should hone his skills in the Xfinity Series and be patient for the time to come.