Sam Mayer spins leader Ty Gibbs, takes overtime win in Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen

The bad blood between Sam Mayer and Ty Gibbs reached a boiling point on Saturday when the two found themselves at the front of the field in the final laps of the Sunoco GO Rewards 200 at The Glen.

After Gibbs made a charge to the front by bumping into Mayer through the esses on a late restart, a caution led to overtime. The USA Network broadcast caught pieces of the No. 1 team’s radio communication as frustration grew and a plan emerged.

“Honestly, if I’m the leader, I’m telling him to do that,” said spotter Kevin Hamlin. “So we just have to get a good start here and give it back. We’re our only friends right now.”

“10-f***ing-4,” responded Mayer.

Mayer then got to the back of Gibbs on the overtime restart and wheel-hopped before spinning the No. 19 into a crowded part of the track. The car was able to re-join the field and avoided a caution flag.

SAM MAYER HIT TY GIBBS!

WOW! pic.twitter.com/NSiUeqxt6Z

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 19, 2023

The job was not done for Mayer yet as he passed Shelton Creed just ahead of the white flag and held off the No. 2 for another lap to take the checkered flag.

Given their history together, which includes a physical altercation in 2022, there were plenty of questions for both drivers after the race.

“I wheel-hopped it,” said Mayer. “That’s unfortunate. I feel bad for doing that. Obviously you don’t want to take out a Gibbs car like that – or any car like that. … That’s an accident. But I think everyone can agree that it’s ok for an Xfinity Series regular to win this race.”

Gibbs accepted that Mayer could interpret the situation that way but took a dig at his rival before ending his response.

“I think when you have to race out of desperation like that and you wheel-hop and clean the leader out, I guess you can call it a racing move,” said Gibbs. “I think he has more starts than I do and this is his second win, so congratulations to him on the second win and definitely wish I could’ve gotten my 13th there.”

Mayer has now won twice in 72 career starts on the Xfinity Series, while Ty Gibbs boasts 12 career wins in 58 starts and has made his way to the Cup Series with his grandfather’s Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 54 after the team parted ways with Kyle Busch last season. He also drove for fellow Toyota team 23XI in 2022 while replacing Kurt Busch following an injury.