In a surprising outcome at the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event, Sam Mayer captured the pole position driving the No. 41 Audibel Chevrolet for Haas Factory Team. The qualifying session on Saturday at EchoPark Speedway saw Mayer posting the fastest lap time, ending a long streak dominated by Richard Childress Racing and its affiliates on drafting tracks.
Mayer’s impressive qualifying speed of 31.804 seconds, translating to 174.318 mph, marked his fourth career pole in the series and highlighted a significant shift at the drafting circuits that include Daytona, EchoPark, and Talladega.
Breaking the Dominance and Team Milestones
This pole is the third for Haas Factory Team since its rebranding and departure from Stewart-Haas Racing after the 2024 season, marking the fifth time Gene Haas has earned a pole as a car owner in this series. This achievement underscores the team’s growing competitiveness and momentum within NASCAR’s second-tier racing circuit.
Discussing the team’s approach to balancing car performance, Mayer said,
“We’re showing up pretty similar to what we have in the last year with this Haas Factory Team,”
and added,
“I feel like it’s going to be pretty good. We were in the race, top-five, top-10 all day, finished third [referring to last year], so I feel pretty good about what we have.”
?Sam Mayer, Driver
Front Row Starting Positions and Notable Qualifiers
Joining Mayer on the front row is Carson Kvapil, who will start second after matching his career-best starting position. Kvapil’s consistent qualifying performances include multiple top starts last season, notably at Martinsville Speedway. Taylor Gray earned the third starting spot as he continues to develop in his sophomore NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, while Sheldon Creed, Mayer’s teammate at Haas Factory Team, secured fourth place on the grid.
William Sawalich completed the top five qualifiers, rounding out a competitive front pack.
Other Key Competitors’ Starting Spots and Surprises
Rajah Caruth showed strong speed with the sixth-best qualifying time in the No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Gio Ruggiero qualified seventh. The top 10 was completed by Sammy Smith, Corey Day, and Jesse Love.
In an unexpected development, Austin Hill—the reigning winner at Daytona International Speedway—will start 20th in his No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s race. Several other prominent drivers, including Justin Allgaier (11th), Ryan Sieg (12th), Brandon Jones (15th), and Ross Chastain (30th), will also begin outside the top 10 positions.
Entry Field and Event Details
A total of 39 cars entered the Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250, with only one driver, Dawson Cram in the No. 74 Chevrolet for Mike Harmon Racing, failing to qualify. This sizable entry list speaks to the competitive nature of the event and the depth of talent on the grid.
The race is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, starting at 5:30 PM ET at EchoPark Speedway, with live coverage provided by The CW sports network.
Implications for the Season and Team Prospects
Sam Mayer’s achievement with the Haas Factory Team breaks the stronghold previously held by Richard Childress Racing and signals a potential shift in competitive dynamics on drafting tracks this season. Mayer’s proven ability to qualify well and contend in races indicates Haas Factory Team’s growing strength as a serious contender across NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series circuits.
As the season progresses, the performance of drivers like Mayer, Kvapil, and Gray, alongside established competitors such as Caruth and Hill, will likely shape the championship battle, bringing excitement and unpredictability to fans and teams alike.
.@sam_mayer_ wins the pole for tomorrow's race at Atlanta! pic.twitter.com/A7w3LOdcph
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) February 20, 2026
