Sam Mayer Claims Portland Track Record, Wins 1st 2024 Pole
Sam Mayer secured the pole position for the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Pacific Office Automation 147, shattering the track record at Portland International Raceway with a blistering lap of 96.654 mph. This marks Mayer’s first pole of 2024 and the third of his career, showcasing his prowess on the track.
Sharing the front row with Mayer is Shane van Gisbergen, who also put on an impressive performance by clocking a speed of 96.596 mph, tying his Xfinity career-best qualifying result. The Chevrolet drivers dominated the front row, with Gisbergen proving to be a strong contender alongside Mayer.
In the third qualifying spot is Riley Herbst representing Ford in his Stewart Haas Racing No. 98, followed by Justin Allgaier and Cole Custer rounding out the top five. The competitive field also saw Sheldon Creed, Parker Kligerman, Josh Bilicki, Sammy Smith, and AJ Allmendinger securing spots in the top 10.
Unfortunately, Allmendinger encountered a setback as he slid into the barrier on his final lap during the qualifying rounds, leading to significant damage to his car. As a result, he will have to start at the rear of the field using his backup car. Similarly, Brandon Jones and Chandler Smith faced challenges with their cars, necessitating the use of backup vehicles for the race.
With 39 cars vying for a spot in the race, Frankie Muniz faced disappointment as his engine blew up during practice, preventing him from qualifying. The stage is set for an intense Xfinity Series race at Portland, scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET with FOX Sports 1 providing television coverage.
Overall, Sam Mayer’s impressive performance in securing the pole position at Portland International Raceway sets the stage for an exhilarating race, showcasing the talent and determination of the drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
By Wyatt Watson. Follow Wyatt on Twitter @WyattGametime.