And The Rumors Keep On Coming
Saturday, July 15th, 2006 3:44pm CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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[thumb:192:r:s=1:l=x]Michael Waltrip made mention yesterday after qualifying that he had spoken with Jeremy Mayfield. Michael said that since Jeremy seemed to be looking, he thought he would make the offer. As we’ve seen publicly recently, and most have been speculating or calling it how they see it for months, Mayfield isn’t happy with several factors surrounding him.
[thumb:177:l:s=1:l=x]Jeremy hasn’t been quiet about his disappointment in the overall performance this year. Last week, he openly said he was disappointed in the level of involvement of team owner Ray Evernham. Most people can smell the set-up here. It’s in essence a public ultimatum; Fit it or I’m out. While a move of great sack on Mayfield’s part, his situation is quite understandable. He makes the chase (although barely) the past two years, and then Ray breaks up the team to give it to Kahne. Jeremy ended up with Kahne’s team. Now, Kahne sits 4th in points, while Jeremy is left wondering what in the world happened as he will be on the outside looking in on an event he’s participated in since its inception. You can’t help but wonder if the roles would be reversed had the off-season change not taken place. However, in the Evernham stable, Kasey is the King Salami. To put this in further perspective, Scott Riggs sits 23rd in points after missing the Daytona 500 while Jeremy sits in 32nd. Further yet, Jeremy’s only a mere 38 points ahead of 35th in the owners standings. I’d be upset too.
In light of this, anyone care to remember Jeremy’s exit from the 12? A few weeks after a similar public statement, Mike Wallace filled out the schedule. The following year, enter Newman.
[thumb:185:r:s=1:l=x]Let’s turn this into a further performance in the center ring, and enter Elliot Sadler. The rumors of Mayfield heading to MWR have brought the rumors of one Mr. Elliot Sadler into the mix and heading to Evernham to replace Mayfield. Supposedly there was a deadline of today for Elliot to let Robert Yates know what his intentions for 2007 were. However, that deadline has been denied by Sadler. Elliot did say that he and Robert had sat down at Indy during testing this week and had a little heart to heart talk. Elliot denies he’s talked to Evernham, but said he had been a participant in discussions with other teams as he explores his options. Although Elliot has time left on his remaining contract with Yates, he also has an “out” clause that would allow his early departure. The terms of that “out” are unknown and only reported as an “out” clause.
Grouped with reports that have been mixing around for months that Elliot isn’t happy where he’s at, it’s natural for his name to be mixed into the rumor mill. Also in the mix is his sponsor, M&M’s. The rumors have them following him to a new team if he decides to do so.
Sadler said he couldn’t tell anyone anything today. However in two or three weeks? Maybe.
One interesting comment from Sadler:
You’d be surprised at how many cars will open up next year.
Really? We’ve kind of seen it coming for a few months, but this is an incredible comment from someone on the inside that admittedly has had discussions with several teams.
Regardless of what happens with Mayfield and Sadler, you can bet that it’s going to only continue to get crazier as the Series races closer to Homestead.
Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup
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I am amazed at how many owners are having problems keeping their drivers happy. All the drivers mentioned have shown that they can do the job. So why are the owners not taking care of them?
Morgan said this on July 16th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
It’s not that they’re level of care is in question, it comes right down to being competitive. Elliot by far ran the best today that he has all year. The result doesn’t show it, but he ran up front most of the day. However, a couple nice runs doesn’t make up for all the time either RYR driver has struggled. That program has been on a downward slide since DJ captured the title. The longer it goes, the worse it has become. Sure, sprinkle in a win here or there, but I can count them all on one hand during this time. All this, while other teams have more victories in a single season than they have in almost 7 seasons.
It can be turned around, RCR’s program is a living testiment to that, but you have to know what’s fubar before you can fix it.
Jeremy on the other hand is just the lucky recipient of the “getting royaly screwed” award, and having the team he was well in tune with popped out from under him. Yep, I’d be upset too.
Luke said this on July 16th, 2006 at 10:48 pm