“Please Sam Mayer replace Carson Hocevar”: NASCAR fans react to news about Dale Jr.’s driver not returning to JRM in 2025

According to reports, Sam Mayer is not expected to return to JR Motorsports for the next season. With Connor Zilisch promoted to the No. 88 car, there is speculation about the future of current drivers at JRM and fans are reacting to the news with mixed views.

It was recently announced that Connor Zilisch would drive four Xfinity Series races for JR Motorsports in 2024 and race full-time in the No. 88 car next year. The 18-year-old Zilisch has won all three of his ARCA Menards Series races in 2024 and four of six ARCA East races.

Since only four full-time spots are available for each team, there are chances and concerns that Sam Mayer may not return to the No. 1 Chevrolet in 2025.

Mayer currently competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports in the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro. He is a two-time East Series champion and has been with the team since 2022. He has 2 wins, with 10 top-10 and 7 top-5 finishes this season.

Reacting to the post, many fans wondered if Mayer might move to a Cup Series ride with Front Row Motorsports or Spire Motorsports. But one fan wants him to replace Carson Hocevar.

“Please Sam Mayer replace Carson Hocevar," hoped one fan.

"Hopefully he ends up being teammates with LaJanitor," wrote another.

Other fans were surprised and confused.

"Going to Cup for FRM?" asked one fan.

"Unless he's getting a cup ride, I don't get this at all. He's won multiple races each of the last 2 years so unless it's a cup ride, this makes no sense," replied another fan.

"HUH? That's a genuine surprise if he's not headed to FRM or Spire...." commented yet another.

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Carson Hocevar's victory at Battle at the Berlin 250

Carson Hocevar races in the NASCAR Cup Series with Spire Motorsports in the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. He was previously part of the team's Drivers Edge Development system.

Hocevar won the Battle at the Berlin 250 at Berlin Raceway this week. He beat Cup Series driver Erik Jones and Super Late Model star Bubba Pollard.

At 21, this was Hocevar’s first win at this major event. The race also offered the biggest cash prize of the year at the track, at $40,000. With a $50,000 fine and 25 points lost due to an incident with Harrison Burton, this was Hocevar's much-needed victory after a tough season.