Sam Mayer Makes Shocking Return to JR Motorsports for 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Season

Main Facts

In a move that has sent ripples through the NASCAR paddock, Sam Mayer has announced that he will leave the Haas Factory Team at the conclusion of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season to make a high-profile return to JR Motorsports (JRM).

Mayer, who has established himself as one of the premier talents in NASCAR’s secondary touring series, is slated to pilot the iconic No. 1 Chevrolet starting in 2027. The reunion brings the young driver back to the stable owned by racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-owners Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Rick Hendrick, where Mayer previously competed from 2021 through 2024.

Alongside the car number and team announcement, it was confirmed that Starkey will serve as Mayer’s primary sponsor for the majority of the 2027 campaign, marking a substantial backing package as the driver transitions into a new chapter of his career.

Mayer is currently driving the No. 41 machine for the Haas Factory Team and sits firmly in fifth place in the 2026 Chase standings. With eight career victories at NASCAR’s secondary level—seven of which were earned during his initial four-year stint with JRM—Mayer is widely regarded as a championship-caliber driver entering the prime of his professional trajectory.

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Chronology: The Evolution of Sam Mayer’s Career Path

To understand the weight of this homecoming, one must trace the timeline of Mayer’s ascent through the national ranks of stock car racing, marked by early promise, breakout success, and sudden career shifts.

Early Beginnings and the JRM Breakthrough (2021–2024)

Sam Mayer burst onto the national NASCAR scene as a teenage prodigy backed by JR Motorsports. After competing part-time in the NASCAR secondary series during the 2021 season, he stepped into a full-time role starting in 2022.

Over the next three seasons, Mayer developed rapidly under the mentorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the engineering staff at JRM. His breakout campaign came in 2023, when he put together a stellar championship run. Mayer captured four race victories that year—including emotional wins at road courses and short tracks—and ultimately finished a career-best third in the final series standings. He added additional wins and consistent top-five performances to his resume through 2024, cementing his status as a cornerstone driver for the Chevrolet powerhouse.

The Stint with Haas Factory Team (2025–2026)

In a surprise move that shook up the driver market ahead of the 2025 season, Mayer opted to leave JR Motorsports to join the newly formed or restructured Haas Factory Team, piloting the No. 41 entry.

While the transition to a new organization presented unique challenges, Mayer quickly adapted. Throughout the 2025 and 2026 seasons, he demonstrated his trademark resilience and aggressive driving style. His consistency paid off as he secured a spot in the 2026 Chase postseason. Sitting fifth in the standings with races still remaining in the current season, Mayer has proven that he can extract race-winning speed from multiple manufacturers and team environments.

The 2027 Homecoming

Recognizing unfinished business and an optimal career fit, negotiations coalesced in the fall of 2026 to bring Mayer back to where his national profile was built. The announcement ensures that starting at Daytona in February 2027, Mayer will once again don the colors of JR Motorsports and steer the iconic No. 1 Chevrolet, setting the stage for what both parties hope will be a championship run.

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Supporting Data and Career Statistics

A deep dive into Mayer’s statistical record highlights why his return is viewed as a major coup for JR Motorsports and a significant loss for the Haas Factory Team.

• Total Career Wins (Secondary Series): 8
• Wins Secured with JR Motorsports: 7
• Best Championship Finish: 3rd (2023, with JRM)
• Current Standing (2026 Season): 5th in the Chase standings (driving the No. 41 Haas Factory Team entry)
• Future Equipment: No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (Effective 2027)
• Primary Sponsor (2027): Starkey (covering the majority of the season)

Mayer’s ability to win across diverse track types—from high-speed ovals to technical road courses—makes him one of the most versatile competitors in the garage. His historical familiarity with JRM’s setup philosophies, engineering staff, and organizational culture is expected to minimize the traditional learning curve associated with a team change.

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Official Responses and Stakeholder Reactions

The announcement elicited strong reactions from both the driver and the leadership at JR Motorsports, emphasizing mutual respect, unfinished goals, and a shared history of success.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Co-Owner of JR Motorsports

Team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed immense enthusiasm about bringing his former driver back into the fold, noting that Mayer’s growth as a competitor makes this version of the partnership even more formidable than the last.

“I’m looking forward to working with Sam again,” Earnhardt Jr. stated. “JRM and Sam know how to win races together, and it’s my belief that Sam has improved as a driver since our past relationship. I appreciate Sam’s eagerness to win, and I know he’s excited to get back in the building and get to work. We’re also excited to welcome Starkey to the team and look forward to building a strong relationship and accomplishing great things together.”

Sam Mayer, Driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet (2027)

Reflecting on his upcoming transition, Mayer expressed gratitude for his current team while looking forward to a nostalgic and ambitious return to the organization that launched his national career.

“I am really happy to be back with JR Motorsports and back behind the wheel of the No. 1 Chevrolet,” Mayer shared. “I’m really grateful to continue my career with the organization that gave me my start and thankful to Starkey for being an incredible partner and for their continued support in my racing career. There is still some racing left to do this year and I am focused on that, but I can’t get the 2027 season underway at Daytona with JRM fast enough.”

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Wider Implications for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

Mayer’s high-profile transfer carries significant weight for the broader NASCAR landscape, influencing silly-season dynamics, sponsorship configurations, and competitive balances across the garage.

1. Shifts in the Silly Season Driver Market

Mayer’s departure from the Haas Factory Team opens up a prime seat in the No. 41 entry for the 2027 season. Team management will now have to scout for a replacement capable of maintaining the high standards Mayer set, potentially triggering a cascade of movement among development drivers and veteran free agents alike.

2. Reinforcing JR Motorsports’ Dominance

JR Motorsports remains the benchmark organization in NASCAR’s secondary touring series. By securing a proven winner like Mayer—who already understands the organizational DNA—JRM fortifies its driver lineup for 2027. Pairing Mayer with the historic No. 1 car and stable funding from Starkey ensures that the team will enter the upcoming rules cycle and championship hunt as an immediate title favorite.

3. Focus on the Present: The 2026 Chase

Despite the monumental career news breaking in the heat of the postseason, Mayer has made it clear that his immediate focus remains fixed on the present. Sitting fifth in the 2026 Chase standings, Mayer has a legitimate shot at fighting for this year’s championship behind the wheel of his current Haas Factory Team ride. Balancing future career planning with present-day execution will be the ultimate test of maturity for the young driver as he navigates the final weeks of the 2026 calendar before turning his eyes toward Daytona and his triumphant return to JR Motorsports.