CONCORD, N.C. — For the second time in two seasons, Sam Mayer has pulled off the upset win at the Charlotte Roval to move on in the Xfinity Series playoffs.
The JR Motorsports driver was in a must-win situation on Saturday evening, and he delivered after a controversial moment. AJ Allmendinger, Shane van Gisbergen, Austin Hill, and Chandler Smith rounded out the top five.
MORE: Sam Mayer wins, full Roval results
Parker Kligerman, another driver in a must-win situation, was in the lead on the final run to the checkered flag. Mayer continued to get to his bumper, but he could not pull off the race-winning pass.
Kligerman then took the white flag as the caution flew for Leland Honeyman burying the No. 42 Chevrolet in the tire barrier.
At least, it appeared that Kligerman had taken the white flag that would have made him the winner. However, NASCAR officials determined that he had not yet crossed the start-finish line at the time of caution. This took away the win and set up overtime.
The caution light came on INCHES before Parker Kligerman crossed the start/finish line. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/6uTBA5F0zn
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 12, 2024
The reason this moment became controversial is that Honeyman buried the car in the tire barrier roughly 16-20 seconds before the control tower hit the button for the caution lights.
Kligerman took the green flag and proceeded to hold off Mayer for most of the opening overtime lap. He could not maintain his advantage after Turn 7 as he fell to second place.
Mayer went on to win while Kligerman fell to sixth overall in the running order. As a result, the Big Machine Racing driver went from nearly winning the first Xfinity race of his career in his final season to being eliminated from the playoffs.
It's a walk off win at the Roval for Sam Mayer! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/gPs88Xp6TB
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 12, 2024
Updated playoff picture: Kligerman was not the only driver eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday evening. Van Gisbergen, Riley Herbst, and Sheldon Creed also failed to advance. Herbst and Creed both finished outside the top 30 after a multi-car crash in the second stage.
And then there were eight. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/a9zXu3txCS
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 12, 2024
Stage 1: AJ Allmendinger stayed out and won stage 1 while drivers behind him headed down pit road for tires and fuel. Shane van Gisbergen was second. Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Jesse Love, Sheldon Creed, Connor Mosack, Riley Herbst, Josh Bilicki, and Chandler Smith were all top 10.
Stage 2: Creed brought out the caution flag after his engine expired and left him stranded on track. He had sustained significant damage in a multi-car crash started by Herbst and Anthony Alfredo.
Allgaier won the stage under caution. This was his series-leading 15th stage win of the season. Connor Mosack, Sam Mayer, Aric Almirola, Leland Honeyman, Allmendinger, van Gisbergen, Smith, Sage Karam, and Josh Bilicki were top 10.
Next: The Round of 8 kicks off with a trip to the West Coast. The Xfinity Series teams will compete at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 19.
