At least NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sam Mayer knew the direction he was headed while qualifying on the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway track.
After securing the pole position for Saturday’s Pennzoil 250, CW Sports initiated a pit-row interview and Mayer started rehashing his fourth career pole with his back to the camera.
“I knew we would be really good … confident …”
A CW pit reporter attempted to nudge Mayer, prompting him to turn around.
He points: “The camera is over here. That’s great.”
Laughter erupted from the broadcast booth.
Last year’s outing at the iconic 2.5-mile asphalt oval was not a laughing matter to Mayer, who was one of 12 machines mixed up in a Lap 1 crash.
“I didn’t get a second lap,” he said. “I’ve grown a lot as a driver. Kinda got my craft figured out a little bit.”
Mayer displayed some professional maturity Saturday, posting a qualifying lap of 166.623 mph, edging runner-up Nick Sanchez by 0.046 seconds.
The pole position proves the No. 41 Ford team is trending in the right direction, but still seeks its first win of the season. In 20 starts, its average finish is 10.7
“We’re doing the job right,” Mayer said. “Let’s finish the job (during the Pennzoil 250).”
The 41 was the 1 in #XfinitySeries qualifying.@sam_mayer_ takes the @IMS pole! pic.twitter.com/QuwmMCHBHW
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) July 26, 2025
Starting Lineup for NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Pennzoil 250
Here is a look at the lineup for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
Starting Position, Driver, Car No.
- 1, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
- 2, Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
- 3, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
- 4, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
- 5, Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
- 6, Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota
- 7, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
- 8, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
- 9, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
- 10, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
- 11, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
- 12, Jermey Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
- 13, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
- 14, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Taylor Gray
- 15, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
- 16, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
- 17, Leland Honeyman, No. 70
- 18, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
- 19, Kyle Larson, No. 17 Chevrolet
- 20, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
- 21, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
- 22, Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
- 23, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
- 24, Katherine Legge, No. 32 Chevrolet
- 25, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99
- 26, Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
- 27, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
- 28, Kyle Seig, No. 28 Ford
- 29, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
- 30, Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet
- 31, Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet
- 32, Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
- 33, Mason Massey, No. 45 Chevrolet
- 34, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
- 35, Logan Bearden, No. 07 Chevrolet
- 36, Joey Gase, No. 53 Chevrolet
- 37, Dawson Cram, No. 74 Chevrolet
- 38, David Starr, No. 35 Chevrolet
We're back at the Brickyard! 🧱 pic.twitter.com/pWodVPosc9
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) July 26, 2025
