News Summary
The Haas Factory Team delivered a strong performance at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with Sam Mayer achieving top-10 finishes in the Xfinity Series. Despite challenges faced by Cole Custer in the Cup Series, the team remains competitive heading into upcoming races. Mayer finished fourth in playoff standings while Sheldon Creed battled back to maintain his competitive status. With races at Talladega Superspeedway on the horizon, the team aims to improve its standings and tackle the challenges ahead.
Las Vegas, Nevada – The Haas Factory Team showcased a strong performance at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 12, 2025, with driver Sam Mayer achieving significant progress in the Xfinity Series, while Cole Custer faced challenges in the Cup Series.
Sam Mayer’s Notable Performance
In a competitive race, Sam Mayer demonstrated his skills by securing top-10 finishes in all three stages, which propelled him to fourth place in the playoff standings, eight points above the cutline. Starting in 16th position in the Audibel Ford, Mayer quickly moved up the ranks despite encountering an oil light issue on lap 16, which was resolved after a reset of the gauges.
Mayer finished Stage One in eighth place, earning three valuable stage points. During Stage Two, he successfully executed a pit stop and sprang out in seventh, finishing in eighth once again. Adapting expertly to the shifting track conditions as evening set in, Mayer maintained a position inside the top 10 throughout the race. He began the final stage in sixth and, despite facing challenges, crossed the finish line in ninth place. Mayer expressed confidence heading into the next races and acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly on pit road.
Sheldon Creed’s Recovery
Teammate Sheldon Creed also showed tenacity as he faced difficulties early in the race starting from 10th in the Ollie’s Ford. Struggling with grip at the beginning, he made necessary adjustments during a timely caution and improved the car’s drivability. Creed finished Stage One in 26th position but fought back tirelessly, wrapping up Stage Two in 15th place. His efforts propelled him from eighth to sixth in the playoff standings, keeping him competitive with just two races remaining in the Round of 8. Creed cited challenges with the new tire compound impacting his race pace but remained determined to improve.
Cole Custer’s Difficulties
On the other hand, Cole Custer had a difficult outing in the Cup Series, finishing 28th after starting 21st. Custer’s race was marked by an unstable car that saw him drop as low as 31st during the event. A strategic decision to remain out during the first pit stop led to him being a lap down. He regained lead-lap status following a caution on lap 71 but finished Stage One in 29th. Despite making small adjustments to improve handling, Custer hovered around 30th position for most of the race and briefly led a lap during a green-flag pit cycle. A long green-flag stretch hindered his ability to gain significant ground, and a late caution allowed him to move up a few positions, culminating in a 28th place finish.
Upcoming Races
The Haas Factory Team is determined to build on their experiences as they head into the next races at Talladega Superspeedway. The Xfinity Series race is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, and the NASCAR Cup Series race will take place on Sunday, October 19. With Cole Custer competing in the Cup Series and Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed representing the team in the Xfinity Series, the Haas Factory Team remains committed to performance and engineering excellence under the guidance of team owner Gene Haas.
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Additional Resources
- Speedway Media: Mayer Finishes Top 10 at Las Vegas
- NASCAR: Rounding Up Xfinity Series Round of 8
- Frontstretch: Brandon Jones Claims 4th Pole of 2024
- Jayski: Haas Factory Team Announces 2025 Lineup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NASCAR
Author: STAFF HERE LAS VEGAS WRITER
The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
