Sam Mayer’s hopes of a strong finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta were literally up in flames after a catastrophic crash that left his car engulfed in fire. The 21-year-old driver found himself in a terrifying situation after clipping Taylor Gray and slamming into the wall, with just three laps remaining in Stage 2. The crash, which was caused by a spotter error, resulted in a fireball that consumed the back of Mayer’s car, forcing the young driver to make a hasty escape through his window.
The shocking scene unfolded when Mayer, following instructions from his spotter, Kevin Hamlin, believed he was clear of Gray. But Hamlin’s misjudgment led to Mayer moving back up the track, clipping Gray’s car, and sending Mayer into the wall in Turn 1. The collision ignited a massive fire, forcing Mayer to pull over and leap from the car, escaping the blaze just in time.
Hamlin took full responsibility for the mishap, admitting to the critical mistake that ended Mayer’s race in dramatic fashion. Fans didn’t hold back, expressing their outrage on social media. “Wow, Sam Mayer’s spotter screwed him,” one fan exclaimed on X, while others called for Hamlin to be replaced, saying, “I think Hamlin needs to find a new job—that’s an insane call.”
Mayer, who had been confident in his car heading into the race, now faces a string of disappointing finishes. Despite the fiery wreck, he remained calm, explaining the intensity of late-stage racing: “You’re always trying to push it to the limit, especially with like 10 to go in the stage,” Mayer told Fox Sports.
Unfortunately, the crash dropped Mayer to a 26th-place finish, continuing a difficult streak for the young driver, who has finished outside the top 10 in five straight races.
