Watch the video of the drama from Martinsville Speedway following an overtime finish
On Friday night, the NASCAR Xfinity Series unloaded in Martinsville, Virginia. The half-mile short track of Martinsville Speedway became a boxing ring by the time the checkered flag dropped.
Watch the Ty Gibbs vs Sam Mayer video below.
Ty Gibbs dominated the entire night. He had the car to beat.
In the closing laps, Sam Mayer spun the tires on the outside lane. As he got sideways he clipped teammate Noah Gragson and spun him across the track. The track became blocked in a hurry and collected 10+ cars with heavy damage.
The red flag was displayed and that sent the race into NASCAR Overtime. At the same time, a $100,000 bonus was on the line to the highest finisher between Ty Gibbs, Sam Mayer, AJ Allmendinger and Riley Herbst.
When the green dropped in overtime, Brandon Jones leaned on the left rear of Gibbs. However, Gibbs was able to hold him off and keep the lead.
Yet, Jones had a huge run off turn four as they came to the white flag. Jones drove it deep to the inside and rubbed doors with Gibbs for the race win on the final lap.
Heading into turn three for the final time, Jones was nosing ahead on the inside lane. Meanwhile, Sam Mayer gave a huge shove to Gibbs on the outside lane. He then worked inside of him and Mayer finished him off by running him wide and into the wall.
As they crashed, AJ Allmendinger slipped by both of them. Allmendinger crossed the line as they winner of the $100,000 bonus. Brandon Jones drove to the race win.
Related: Ty Gibbs vs John Hunter Nemechek at Richmond Raceway (Video)
Ty Gibbs punches Sam Mayer
After the race, Ty Gibbs lined up behind the bumper of Sam Mayer on the cool down lap that was followed by one more shot in an attempt to spin him out. He then pushed him down the pit lane.
Ty Gibbs crew jumped on the radio, “Don’t. Be smart. We don’t need that man.”
Gibbs climbed from his car in a hurry. He was hot. A NASCAR official stood between the two drivers at first, Gibbs pushed that official out of the way then approached his target.
As Gibbs made his way to Mayer, both drivers were highly vocal. Just as Mayer took off his helmet, Gibbs then gave him a shove.
Mayer walked back up to Gibbs pushed him back and they exchanged a few more words.
Gibbs then threw a punch but he was too far away to make solid contact. He took a step closer and threw another punch that landed a direct hit to the face of Mayer.
Crew members from both teams quickly jumped in. Gibbs then put Mayer into a headlock before both drivers fell to the ground.
Mayer resurfaced with what appeared to be a bloody lip.
Related: Ty Gibbs vs Ryan Sieg at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Video)
Ty Gibbs comments
As Ty Gibbs started his post race interview, a NASCAR official was tapping Gibbs on the shoulder. He then put his arm around him. However, as Gibbs continued with the interview, the official eventually just let him talk.
The official was visibly frustrated as he kept adjusting his ear piece.
“Well, I tried to talk to him then he got all in my face,” Gibbs told Fox Sports after the altercation.
“At that point, we gotta start fighting. We got put in a bad position there. The only thing I’m mad about is the No. 1, he wasn’t going to get passed the No. 16 and I just got hit in the left rear. It’s frustrating, I just got drove into the fence at the end.”
Gibbs added as the crowd booed, “You know, I was on the other side of it last week. So, that’s just part of it.”
Seconds after the altercation, Gibbs was taken away from the scene by a NASCAR official. He was escorted to the NASCAR hauler.
Sam Mayer comments
Gibbs and Mayer met at the NASCAR hauler. It was reported that their 10-minute conversation ended with a handshake.
“Yeah, just 100 grand on the line,” Mayer stated to Bob Pockrass.
“I put the bumper to him. That’s what short track racing is all about. He got upset.”
“He threw a couple punches, they were weak. So, I can’t say much about that. It’s kinda funny.”
“I just put the bumper to him for 100 grand and he got upset about it. But, he’s been doing that to everyone else, every week so far. So, I don’t understand how it can be that one-sided.”
“It’s kinda funny. He walked up to me. I had my helmet off already. He kept his helmet on. So, obviously, he was scared about something. Or, he had it in his mind to throw a punch the whole time.”
“I’ll talk to him if he wants to. But, I’m fine. I couldn’t care less. I’m going to move on and race everybody just as hard. That’s what the Xfinity Series is all about.”
Mayer added, “I’m going to go out there and do my best. He can do whatever he wants. At the end of the day, anybody can do whatever they want to him because he’s put himself with that reputation.”
Mayer was interviewed with a bloody lip as well as scratches on his eye and forehead.
Brandon Jones comments
“I can’t say that we could have played it out any better,” Brandon Jones stated from the front stretch after the win.
“Drove it all the way from the back to the front. I had older tires than those guys at the end. This is a drivers race track. I’ve won at a lot of different places now. This is one you have to get after it.”
“Ty ran a really good race. But, it’s fun to beat him, he’s hot right now. He’s tough to beat.”
“I got an awesome barn I just bought. So, I know right where it’s going,” Jones referred to the famous grandfather clock trophy.
AJ Allmendinger comments
“I didn’t see the actual wreck. But, I saw on pit road, the stupidity,” AJ Allmendinger stated.
Following the altercation, a NASCAR official was taken to the infield care center. He was released but will be further evaluated.
Martinsville Race Results: April 8, 2022 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
