JR Motorsports started the week off with the announcement that Sam Mayer will be back in the No. 1 Chevrolet for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. That was unveiled on Monday. They’ll end the work week with another announcement.

On Friday, JRM detailed that Brandon Jones will be returning to the No. 9 Chevrolet in 2024 too.

For Mayer, 20, 2024 will mark this third full-time season with the team.

A native of Franklin, Wis., Mayer is in the midst of a breakout season in which he has raced into the playoffs for the second consecutive year through a pair of victories. The first was a popular win at his home track of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., and the second at Watkins Glen International. He enters the opening round of the playoffs this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway seeded fifth in points. 

“We’ve seen so much potential in Sam and we’re proud of all he’s accomplished this year,” said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “The victory at Road America was huge for him and his family. Getting things solidified for next year will allow him to focus on the remainder of 2023 as he competes for the championship.”

Mayer began his journey with JRM in the company’s Late Model program in 2018 before graduating to make his NXS debut in 2021 via a part-time schedule. He has competed full-time in the No. 1 Chevrolet the past two seasons with career stats totaling two victories, 21 top-five and 40 top-10 finishes.

“It’s been a great year for our No. 1 team,” said Mayer, who will make his 100^th series start with JRM next season. “Finally getting that first win this year was like a weight lifted and so energizing. I’m really grateful to continue my career with JR Motorsports and thankful to Dale Jr., Kelley and Mr. Hendrick for making it happen. Now we can turn our attention to a championship run this year.” 

Crew duties and sponsorship details for Mayer and the No. 1 team will be announced at a later date.

In the Jones announcement, the 26-year-old Georgia native will continue a multi-year relationship with the Eau Claire, Wis.-based home-improvement giant, Menards, which began in 2015.

The partnership between Menards and JR Motorsports dates back to 2004, when team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. raced co-branded Menards Chevrolets for Chance 2 Motorsports to three NXS victories over two seasons. Menards has been a fixture in NASCAR since 2003, and is active in all three of NASCAR’s national series.

“Competing for race wins and series championships alongside John Menard and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a driver’s dream come true, especially since both have worked together with great success before,” said five-time NXS winner Jones. “The partnership between the two organizations is top-notch and I am excited for the opportuning to continue that success.”

Despite missing the playoffs, Jones and the No. 9 Menards team are riding high off a runner-up finish last weekend at Kansas Speedway, where he has won twice in NXS competition. Tonight, Jones and team have their sights on a potential victory in the 300-lap event under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway.

I don’t foresee Justin Allgaier leaving which means the only seat left for the team to fill next season is Josh Berry’s No. 8 Chevrolet as Berry advanced up the ranks to the NASCAR Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing. He’ll replace the retiring Kevin Harvick.

Other seats left to now fill is John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 20 Toyota with Joe Gibbs Racing as he too moves up to the Cup Series to drive the No. 42 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club. Those are two very good seats open.

We do know that Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed will remain with RCR for 2024.