Sam Meyer’s 2025 season has come to an end after NASCAR announced on Tuesday that he has been suspended from the Xfinity Series season finale in Phoenix. This penalty was imposed because Meyer deliberately caused Jeb Burton to crash into the wall in Turn 1 just after the checkered flag at Martinsville on Saturday night.
Meyer was one of eight playoff semifinalists vying for one of four spots in the championship race at Phoenix, but he was eliminated after finishing seventh at Martinsville. Following the race, Meyer expressed his frustration, blaming Burton for a previous incident at Talladega that triggered a 20-car wreck. Meyer himself was caught in a 10-car accident on lap 15 at Martinsville and ended up finishing last.
Meyer stated, “He caused the 20-car pileup at Talladega that put us in the position we’re in today. It was his fault in the first place. It was a really stupid move when he left-hooked No. 20 in the middle of the trioval at Talladega.” Burton finished sixth at Martinsville, and Meyer also criticized Burton’s racing style on the short track leading up to the crash.
The Haas Factory Team announced they would not appeal Meyer’s suspension and confirmed that Ryan Sieg, an Xfinity Series regular who owns his own team, will take Meyer’s place in Phoenix.
At 22, Meyer is expected to finish eighth in the points standings with one victory and 18 top-10 finishes this season. This marks his fourth full-time season in NASCAR’s No. 2 series and his first with Haas Factory Team, after spending his entire career so far with JR Motorsports where he earned eight career wins and a best championship finish of third.
JR Motorsports will still have three drivers contending for the title: Justin Allgaier, Carson Kvapil, and Connor Girish. Also in the mix is Jesse Love from Richard Childress Racing.
Fan Take: This suspension highlights how emotions and rivalries can dramatically impact the playoffs, reminding fans that tensions run high in NASCAR’s intense championship battles. Meyer’s absence could shift the dynamics in Phoenix, potentially opening the door for fresh contenders and exciting new storylines in the sport.
