Jeremy Mayfield claims in court documents that team owner Ray Evernham's "close personal relationship" with development driver Erin Crocker distracted his team and kept the owner from being an instrumental part of the No. 19 Nextel Cup team, whose struggles this year eventually led to Mayfield's firing.
more ThatsRacin.com | 08/18/2006 | Mayfield blames owner, 'relationship' for struggles
Evernham's affidavit said Mayfield had "disparaged the Evernham team and me personally" and specifically alleged that Mayfield intentionally hit the wall during the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 6. "I watched Mayfield wreck his car early in the race," Evernham said. "He slowed dramatically to let other cars past the #19 Dodge in Turn 1 and then brushed the wall at two places. This wreck was done in a manner to damage the #19 Dodge but not harm Mayfield. Based on my experience, I believed that Mayfield's conduct in wrecking the car was on purpose. Sam Johns, my competition director, agreed with my opinion."