JR Motorsports could be due for more shakeups, as Sam Mayer may be out after this season. Mayer, once a top prospect for Chevrolet, has struggled with the bowtie’s premiere Xfinity Series brand this season.
Wednesday morning, to the surprise of few and expected by many, JR Motorsports, via the Dale Jr Download, confirmed that high-value prospect Connor Zilisch would drive for the team full-time in 2025.
Zilisch, already racing part-time in a fifth car for the team this season, would be the fifth full-time driver for JRM in 2025 if the team remains with its current lineup.
JRM has never had more than four full-time entries in its ten seasons of competition, stoking online conversation about who could be out and who could be in.
This morning, Brakehard via X reported that Sam Mayer could be the odd man out at JRM. This rumor follows reports from Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, who has tied Mayer to potential Cup opportunities next season.
Corey Lajoie’s impending exit and Rodney Childers’s new job at Spire Motorsports have set a signal for hungry drivers, whether that’s Cup veterans or young up-and-coming drivers like Sam Mayer.
Mayer’s potential for a Cup ride could make his departure from JRM a positive. Despite his turbulent runs with the team this season, the young driver had an outstanding 2023 campaign, winning four races and finishing third in Xfinity Series points.
Mayer has two race victories this season for JRM, but his average finish has dropped from 13.2 to 16.8. He has also had five DNFs, including his most recent outing, which resulted in a first-lap crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
As the silly season continues, things will become clearer for Mayer and JRM. Questions still surround whether veteran driver Brandon Jones will have a spot with the team next season.
For now, JRM seems to have an open door for drivers looking for a chance to prove themselves. It just depends on the right combination of four or even five drivers.
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