NASCAR Driver Sam Mayer to Grace Franklin’s Fourth of July ParadeNASCAR Driver Sam Mayer to Grace Franklin’s Fourth of July Parade Sam Mayer, a Franklin native and current NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, will participate in the city’s Fourth of July parade on July 4. Mayer, a 21-year-old driver for JR Motorsports, will cruise through the parade in a Camaro, a departure from the high-speed vehicles he typically operates on the track. “It’s always great to come back to my hometown and see my family and friends,” Mayer said. “With my busy schedule, it’s wonderful to have a race so close to home so I can participate in events like the Fourth of July Parade in Franklin.” Racing Accomplishments Mayer has made a name for himself in NASCAR, becoming the second-youngest winner in series history at just 17 years old when he triumphed in the 2020 Craftsman Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He has since notched six wins in the Xfinity Series, including victories at Road America and the Hy-Vee Perks 250 in Iowa during the 2024 season. Mayer currently holds the tenth position in the Xfinity Series standings, having secured a playoff spot with two wins, seven top-five finishes, and eight top-10 finishes. Parade Details The Franklin Fourth of July parade will begin with the children’s parade at 10:30 a.m., followed by the main parade at 11 a.m. The route starts at the corner of West Forest Hill Avenue and South Loomis Road and ends at Lions Legend Park. Mayer’s participation in the parade is a testament to his strong connection to his hometown and his support for community events. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to come out and cheer on the local racing star as he celebrates Independence Day in Franklin.
Sam Mayer looks on during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ambetter Health 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14, 2023 in Loudon, New Hampshire. Mayer, a Franklin native, will appear in Franklin’s 2024 Fourth of July Parade. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Sam Mayer drives the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series.
But on July 4, the Franklin resident will be driving a Camaro that’s a lot slower than he’s used to during Franklin’s Fourth of July parade, a city press release said June 27.
His family, including his father Scott Mayer, a former IndyCar Series driver, will accompany him.
“It’s always great to have the opportunity to come back to my hometown and see all of my family and friends,” Mayer, 21, said in a statement. “With such a busy racing schedule, it’s super nice to have a track like the Chicago Street Course on the lineup and be so close to home, and it gives me the chance to be a part of events like the Fourth of July Parade in Franklin.”
The children’s parade begins at 10:30 a.m., while the main parade begins at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 4. The route begins at the corner of West Forest Hill Avenue and South Loomis Road, heads north to West Drexel Avenue, turns east, and ends at Lions Legend Park.
Mayer’s first career NASCAR victory came during the 2020 Craftsman Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, according to his official biography on NASCAR.com. Mayer was just 17 at the time, making him NASCAR’s second-youngest winner.
Mayer is a six-time winner in the Xfinity Series, according to his bio. His first time in victory lane in the series came at Road America in July 2023.
His most recent victory came on June 15 at the Hy-Vee Perks 250 in Iowa. It was his second victory of the 2024 season.
According to the press release, Mayer is now in his third year driving full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports.
He currently sits in 10th place and has secured a playoff spot with two wins, seven top-five finishes and eight top-10 finishes this season. One notable win this season came at Texas Motor Speedway with the second-closest finish in Xfinity Series history when Mayer won by 0.002 seconds.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: NASCAR driver Sam Mayer to attend Franklin’s Fourth of July parade
