It’s no secret that Gene Haas endured a rough season, marked by yet another suspension in his camp. Fans may recall Kevin Harvick’s 2022 Talladega race when Stewart-Haas Racing was hit with an L-2 level penalty for unapproved Next-Gen modifications, costing them driver and owner points. While Harvick escaped suspension, crew chief Rodney Childers wasn’t as lucky, serving a four-race ban. This time, though, it’s Haas’ Xfinity affiliate facing the blow.

Right-rear hooking, one of NASCAR’s biggest sins, reared its head again. Earlier, Austin Hill’s move on Aric Almirola at Indianapolis earned him a suspension and a playoff points deduction. Now, Haas’ young Xfinity star found himself in similar trouble. And as the postseason unfolds, fans are taking a hard look at whether the 22-year-old still deserves a shot at the Cup level.

Gene Haas’ No. 41 driver under fire after volatile Martinsville move

If Sam Mayer wants to keep the momentum toward a Cup ride, he will need to do more than rebuild trust. During the playoff race at Martinsville, Mayer spun Jeb Burton into the outside wall on the cool-down lap after the checkered flag. NASCAR determined the move violated Section 4.4B of the Member Code of Conduct.

Sam Mayer said of Burton, “He caused a demolition derby and a parking lot on the front straightaway at the fastest racetrack we go to, and now he just decides to be an absolute dumbass this go around and race a guy with a purple spoiler just awful. It was awful to be around him all day.”

For his part, Burton fought back publicly, calling Mayer “a punk.” As a result of the right-rear hook, the 22-year-old driver was suspended from the season finale Xfinity race at Phoenix Raceway, effectively ending his playoff campaign that round and tarnishing his reputation in the process. That fallout matters a lot for his path to the Cup Series.

That tension had been building all race long after the Haas Factory driver nudged Burton during an early restart, igniting a feud that simmered for the remainder of the event. An irate Burton fumed over the radio, saying, “Go ahead and tell the 41 [Mayer] that he’s done. He’s done when I get to him. F—- him and his championship.”

And on the closing lap, Burton made good on his threat, spinning Sam while they fought for sixth place. But moments later, the 22-year-old appeared to retaliate, right rear hooking Burton in Turn 1 after the finish line, a move that drew NASCAR penalties once officials reviewed the footage. As a result of the one-race ban, the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driver is eligible to return at the start of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season at Daytona.

However, this isn’t just a one-off incident involving Sam Mayer. The 2022 Xfinity race showed that he doesn’t back down from a fight. On the final lap, the Wisconsin native made contact with Ty Gibbs. This sent the Joe Gibbs Racing driver off the track into the wall, ruining his shot at a victory. The frustration carried over to pit road after the race.

Gibbs followed Mayer, and what started as a heated conversation quickly blew up into a physical fight, with punches thrown around as the officials had to step in to separate the two. Fast forward to today, and Mayer seems to have the same aggressiveness and even went ahead to deliver a very cold response post the Martinville incident.

NASCAR fans slam Sam Mayer’s behavior

Fans haven’t held back their opinions about Sam Mayer’s recent behavior, and many are starting to question whether his mindset matches his talent. One fan bluntly summed it up, “His attitude is the reason he’s not a serious contender for a cup ride, and it goes farther beyond the Jeb incident.” Another echoed that sentiment, adding that, “He’s made some dumb decisions. I know him screwing Larson out of a win at Homestead got him a lot of hate.” What is clear is that for many fans, the frustration isn’t just about one race, it’s about a pattern of choices that seem to have overshadowed his own track ability.

During the Xfinity race at Miami in March this year, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson was dominant, pulling out a 16-second lead with only eight laps remaining. A late caution erased that cushion and forced an overtime restart. On the restart, the 22-year-old driving the No. 41 Ford lined up behind Larson in the restart zone. As they launched, Mayer’s front end made contact with Larson’s rear bumper. Larson noted his “rear tires were off the ground” from the contact, costing him traction and the win.

Several fans pointed out that the 22-year-old’s confidence has started to come off as entitlement. One comment read, “He’s 22, but as someone who is impartial, I did not like his mindset that he already earned a cup series ride and was upset he wasn’t the #1 name on everyone list.” Another added, “To also add, I do like him, but since he said that and wrecked Jeb Burton, I’ve taken second thoughts about him.” These reactions suggest that while fans acknowledge Mayer’s skills, his approach to the sport and how he carries himself is beginning to alienate those who once rooted for him.

The debate ultimately comes down to personality versus professionalism. One fan drew a fine line between the two, saying, “I think there’s a difference in having a personality and just being a straight up peckerhead. He’s got the talent, but he’s got to reel in his attitude and how he goes about situations on the track.”

Another pointed out, “Stuck up pompous jackass is not a personality we need. I’d rather have Haley or Elliott than that.” For many, Mayer’s future in NASCAR might depend less on his speed and more on whether he learns to temper his ego before it costs him bigger opportunities.