[WVGrandma4Kasey]

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.

[Quality88]

I was reading something like that earlier today, but the way they it was reported it was just for this weekend. Wow, sucks for Mayfield.

[Nevadastars]

I dont understand why they put Elliott in the seat. Yea, he has the past champions provisional, but he's not going to win or probably even be in the top 20 in the race. If they dont want Mayfield, then put a road race ace in it like Brian Simo, or Scott Pruitt. Makes no sense to me to enter a car with a washed up driver who will do nothing more than insure a spot in the field.

[TN_Gal]

and...As The World Turns

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Originally Posted by TN_Gal

and...As The World Turns

and craws under the blanket.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

I dont understand why they put Elliott in the seat. Yea, he has the past champions provisional, but he's not going to win or probably even be in the top 20 in the race. If they dont want Mayfield, then put a road race ace in it like Brian Simo, or Scott Pruitt. Makes no sense to me to enter a car with a washed up driver who will do nothing more than insure a spot in the field.

I think they are looking at what it takes over a period of races to get the #19 back in the top 35 in owners points. They aren't expecting outstanding finishes, but finishes that are better than what Mayfield has been putting out. Cause let's face it.... he's not been putting out this year.

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I think they are looking at what it takes over a period of races to get the #19 back in the top 35 in owners points. They aren't expecting outstanding finishes, but finishes that are better than what Mayfield has been putting out. Cause let's face it.... he's not been putting out this year.

The crap keeps up at Evernham and Kasey will be having to qualify.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by WVGrandma4Kasey

The crap keeps up at Evernham and Kasey will be having to qualify.

Cool down Grandma... it could be worse... Evernham could be in a state of oh S#%t like RYR is right now





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZNxpt237YYUS

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I think they are looking at what it takes over a period of races to get the #19 back in the top 35 in owners points. They aren't expecting outstanding finishes, but finishes that are better than what Mayfield has been putting out. Cause let's face it.... he's not been putting out this year.

Well, after two years of making the chase, they yank his crew chief and team and move them to the 9. I dont think Jeremy all of a sudden forgot how to drive.

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Cool down Grandma... it could be worse... Evernham could be in a state of oh S#%t like RYR is right now





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZNxpt237YYUS

If Evernham don't get out from under the covers, they will be.

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by WVGrandma4Kasey

If Evernham don't get out from under the covers, they will be.

Doesn't look like that's going to take place anytime soon!!!!!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I think they are looking at what it takes over a period of races to get the #19 back in the top 35 in owners points. They aren't expecting outstanding finishes, but finishes that are better than what Mayfield has been putting out. Cause let's face it.... he's not been putting out this year.

88 I agree with you in that they want only to get back up into the top 35. I also agree that Elliott is a washed up driver but I hope for their sake he can help them to get back up into the top 35 .... even though I really feel that if you want to get into a race then you need to be one of the 43 top qualifiers. All these other exceptions are truly BULL !!!!!

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by WVGrandma4Kasey

If Evernham don't get out from under the covers, they will be.

Oh come on Grandma, he's just nurturing a furture race car driver. Probably the future of evernham motorsports.

[wardfan]

you really think he is under the covers? She looks more butch than Jeffy boy. Makes you think why Ray & Jeff were once quite the team

[Team Yates]

Mayfield released by Evernham Motorsports

No announcement made on new driver; Elliott running at Glen

By Josh Pate, NASCAR.COM
August 11, 2006
10:44 AM EDT (14:44 GMT)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Jeremy Mayfield has been released from Evernham Motorsports, team owner Ray Evernham said Friday at Watkins Glen International.

"He has been terminated, and I honestly don't want to discuss the terms with that," Evernham said.
Mayfield was replaced for this weekend's race by former Cup champion Bill Elliott on Tuesday. When contacted by NASCAR.COM, Mayfield said he knew nothing of the driver change.
Evernham, however, said his team contacted Mayfield Motorsports' agent on Monday and began the discussions.
Now Mayfield is out of the car for good, a move that was speculated last month at Chicagoland when the driver aired concerns about how the owner had not done anything to help his struggling team.
"When the performance is not up to par, it's frustrating on both sides," Evernham said Friday. "The decision was made because of the performance of the car. There was certainly frustration, and we weren't pleased with some of the comments that were made. But in no way was that the reason for the change."
There was no immediate announcement of a full-time driver in the No. 19 Dodge, although it has been speculated that Elliott Sadler will likely move to the car. Whether that will happen before the end of the season is unknown for sure, Evernham said.
"The decision to make a change in the 19 had nothing to do with whether [a driver change] could or could not happen," Evernham said. "It would make the most sense if we could do that, for sure."