ARCA Menards Series Driver Profiles: Sam Mayer

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10: Sam Mayer, driver of the #21 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet, poses for a portrait before the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East New Smyrna 175 at New Smyrna Speedway on February 10, 2019 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. (Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)

 

This week, Great Lakes Post spoke with NASCAR K&N East and ARCA Menards Series Driver Sam Mayer who is competing at Madison this weekend. The Shore Lunch 200 begins at 9 PM Eastern on MAVTV 

 

How do you think your season is going?

 

SM: “I think our season is going pretty well. I got my first K&N East to win at Bristol in April and led every lap so that was pretty cool. We’ve had a few second-place finishes that probably should have been wins, but I’m learning at every race.”

 

How have you liked working with GMS Racing?

 

SM: “I’ve enjoyed racing and working with the guys at GMS. Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) has so much experience which has been a big help to me, especially at some of the tracks where I’ve never raced before. They bring me fast Chevy’s every week and that’s all I can ask for.”

 

What is it going to be like racing at your home track?

 

SM: “Racing at Madison is going to be really fun. I have a lot of friends and family coming to the race, so I hope we can get a win for them. “

 

How ready are you for Madison?

 

SM: “I usually watch the video to help prepare for upcoming races. I’ve never raced at Madison before, so practice will be really important to get the feel of the track, learn where my marks are and give good feedback to help with the set-up.”

 

How did you first get into racing?

 

SM:  “My Dad (Scott Mayer) used to race Indy Cars and Grand Am, so I’ve been around racing since I was born. I started racing Kids Karts at Badger Raceway here in Wisconsin when I was four years old. I did pretty well, so I kept moving up to a new series.”

 

What do you most like about short track racing?

 

SM: “Short track racing is fun. It’s kind of where most drivers got their start, so it’s pretty competitive and there isn’t much room for mistakes because another driver will take advantage of it in a hurry.”

What does it take to win a race at Madison?

SM: “Well I haven’t raced there before, but like any track, you have to be prepared mentally and physically. We need to run a clean race and track position is key at short tracks. It can be hard to pass, so starting up front and staying there will be important.”

How do you mentally prepare for a race?

 

SM: “I study video of past races at different tracks to see where other drivers hit their marks, I have a great crew around me who help me a lot including my crew chief, Mardy Lindley, and Josh Berry has been a big help coaching me as well.”

What has racing taught you?

 

SM: “Racing has taught me a lot really. It has taught me to be competitive, yet patient at the same time. I always want to win, but sometimes you have to know you have a fifth-place car and not overdrive it trying to win and end up wrecking.”