When NASCAR Ford team Stewart-Haas Racing dissolved at the end of the 2024 racing season, the brand new Haas Factory Team sprung up from its ashes. And, finally, that team has its first Xfinity Series victory, compliments of Sam Mayer in the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse at Iowa Speedway on August 2nd, 2025.
Mayer put the No. 41 Mustang to the point after a restart on Lap 221. Once he had clean air and a clear track, he set sail, pulling off his second consecutive Iowa victory – although in 2024, he was behind the wheel of a Chevy. However, it wasn’t an easy win for the NASCAR Ford driver, as he had to defend the top spot against polesitter Jesse Love in the No. 2 Chevy when a late-race restart neutralized his lead.
Mayer’s No. 41 Mustang was clearly the machine to beat, and he lunged ahead of the pack when the green dropped for what would be the final restart. The race ended under yellow due to a single-car incident on the last lap, and Mayer was well shut of the rest of the pack when officials called it.
“I can’t believe it,” Mayer said. “This is one of the most special wins I have. These guys [Mayer’s team], they love me to death, I love them to death, and we’re just some good ol’ boys trying to go racing.”
Addressing an earlier Pit Road mishap, he added, added, “I missed my pit box, but the car was so good it didn’t even matter. We ran up through there, no problem. It was great.”
Overall, it was a decent day for the NASCAR Ford teams in the Xfinity Series. Though Mayer led a slew of Chevys across the line, Harrison Burton wrapped up fifth place, with the Mustang racers of Sheldon Creed and Ryan Sieg capturing seventh and eighth place, respectively. Mayer’s win ensures that he will be able to compete in the postseason Playoffs with a shot at the 2025 Xfinity Series title.
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Great.