Mayfield said no one has told him about change in entry list
By David Newton, NASCAR.COM
August 8, 2006
04:14 PM EDT (20:14 GMT)


Jeremy Mayfield may be free to leave Evernham Motorsports for Bill Davis Racing sooner than he expected.

Bill Elliott will be in the No. 19 Dodge that Mayfield has driven for Evernham since 2002 this weekend at Watkins Glen International.

Contractual agreements remain to be settled before it can be announced that Mayfield is out for the remainder of the season, sources close to the situation said.

A statement from Evernham Motorsports said the team has finalized its long-term plans for 2007 and expects to announce those in the coming weeks. Mayfield's name already has been removed from the team release where it lists Evernham's drivers.

Elliott Sadler, who last month was given his release from Robert Yates Racing after the season, reportedly already has accepted a deal to replace Mayfield in 2007.

Team owner Ray Evernham could not be reached for comment, but he released a statement saying Elliott gives the team its best chance to make the field with his past champions' provisional.

Mayfield fell out of the top 35 in owners' points last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he crashed on Lap 82. Only the top 35 are guaranteed a spot in each Nextel Cup race.

Elliott, the 1988 Cup champion, can make the race at Watkins Glen if he is the highest past champion not in the top 35.

"This team has a great deal of potential and we just haven't met the expectations this year,'' Evernham said. "We will do whatever we need to get this car in the show for Watkins Glen. It's important to our sponsors and it's important to this team.''

Mayfield, who said last weekend at Indianapolis he likely would not be with Evernham's team next season, said he had not been contacted by Evernham about a switch as of late Tuesday morning.

"It's not professional, that's for sure,'' Mayfield said of the way the matter was handled. "That's the way everything has worked around here for a while.''

A spokesperson for Evernham Motorsports said discussions with Mayfield Motorsports management began on Monday.

Elliott is not an option to finish the season. He drove for Evernham full-time from 2001-03 and part-time from 2004-present, and is committed to driving three races for Team Red Bull later this season.

He also has two races left on a five-race commitment to Michael Waltrip Racing.

Sadler also could be an option if he is released early from RYR.

Multiple sources told NASCAR.COM on Friday that Mayfield, who has one year and two option years left on his deal at EMS, was close to a deal to drive for Bill Davis Racing's new Toyota team next season.

Mayfield admitted he's had discussions with Bill Davis, as well as Michael Waltrip and several other car owners.

Mayfield, who made the Chase for the Nextel Cup the past two seasons, also said he wanted to finish this season in the No. 19.

"I really don't know what to say,'' Mayfield said.

Mayfield has been frustrated with the performance of his team most of the season. But the frustration began before the season when crew chief Kenny Francis and the rest of his crew were moved to Kasey Kahne's team.

Kahne crashed on the last lap of Sunday's race to fall to 11th in points, one spot out of those that qualify for the Chase that will be set after five races.

Mayfield said he hasn't talked to Evernham since leaving Indianapolis. He doesn't know if being replaced this weekend means his contract with EMS is null and void.

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I hope Mayfield can get a decent ride. Wonder if Yates will want him? I think that'd be a good fit if they are still hiring Gilliland.

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Go Junior Go. Go Smoke Go.

Guess what! The #19 can't use the past champion's provisional because Elliott wasn't listed as the driver by the 7/31 deadline! So Bill'l have to qualify on time.

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Go Junior Go. Go Smoke Go.

There is a good chance he'll make it but he won't be real high on the list. Then again their main purpose is just to get back into the top 35. I'm sure they aren't expecting a win.

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Yeah, I know but I feel sorry for Mayfield. It wasn't all his fault.

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I know, I`m rootin for Menard.

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I agree that it wasn't all his fault. My guess is tha the frustration factor had a lot to do with his drive to even give a $hit. When things start going downhill and no one seems to care it is real hard to get excited about being a loser.

Maybe a new ride will prove that he is a capable driver. Of course if he really was bad mouthing Evernham it may be difficult for him to get a good ride next year.

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I think Ray put his g/f ahead of his biz.

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Any thing I say for the next week or two, I'm claiming non accountable, cause I'm just plain mad. me

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lol, GmaK.

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