Emotions run hot on the racetrack, and sometimes, keeping them in check isn't easy, even after the checkered flag falls. NASCAR Ford Mustang driver Sam Mayer let those feelings get the better of him after the Xfinity Series race at Martinsville on October 25th, 2025, drilling a rival into the fence once the race was over. Officials didn't take too kindly to that, parking Mayer for his actions.
According to the post-Martinsville penalty report from NASCAR.com, Mayer took his frustrations out on Chevy driver Jeb Burton. Mayer drove his No. 41 NASCAR Ford into Burton on the cooldown lap, sending the No. 27 Chevy into the outside retaining wall in an act of obvious aggression stemming from an on-track incident while the race was still under green. Both drivers slammed the wall as a result.
It's important to note that Mayer's No. 41 NASCAR Ford was eligible for the 2025 Playoffs and in dire need of position to advance to the Championship 4, but was not able to do so. Burton was not eligible for the Playoffs.
Both drivers were understandably frustrated after the incident. Mayer threw jabs at Burton in his postrace interview, saying, "I was just giving it all I had and the 27 [Burton] did us no favors... he decides to be an absolute dumbass to just go around and race a guy with a purple spoiler [denoting a Playoff driver]... just awful. It was awful to be around him all day."
He added, "He's just fast enough to be really, really annoying, but not fast enough to do anything else worth a damn."
As a result, officials deemed that Mayer's actions were in violation of Section 4.4.B of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct, which prompted his one-race suspension. That suspension essentially means that Mayer is parked for the rest of the 2025 season, given that there's only one race left this year. Instead, Ryan Sieg will drive teh No. 41 NASCAR Ford at Phoenix on November 1st.
The only other penalty over the weekend was also issued to a NASCAR Ford driver. The No. 51 Mustang of Cody Ware lost a wheel during the Cup Series race at Martinsville, resulting in the suspension of two of Ware's crewmembers for two races. Jackman De’Quan Hampton and rear-tire changer Marquill Osborne will not be on Ware's team at Phoenix this weekend and will also sit out the season-opening Clash in 2026.
Comment
A shame really, we need more pile ups in Nascar, it is getting very boring and processional, especially Bristol and Martinsville. I only go to races st Daytona and Talladega now, more pile ups at those races. I must admit, there was only a mini pile up at Talladega last week, bit of a let down there was no big one.