Mayfield Out Of Top 35 As Team Continues To Struggle And Deal With Bad Luck
Monday, August 7th, 2006 8:41am UTC
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
[thumb:177:l:s=1:l=x]Indy wasn’t too kind to Jeremy Mayfield this year, further proving that the note for his withdrawal at the “Luck Bank” for appearing in the Chase both years has come due.
Involved in an early accident, Mayfield finished 41st Sunday amidst rumors that he was most likely to be departing Evernham for Bill Davis Racing’s second entry in 2007.
What’s even more devastating to the team is that Mayfield is now out of the top 35 in owners points, and the #19 will have to make the field at Watkins Glen on time. Jeremy qualified 32nd at Sonoma back in June. Hot on the heels of this, is news that Evernham may pull Mayfield for the race this weekend in favor of a so called “ringer”. Ray said they had to sit down and discuss it Monday, and that a decision would have to be made quickly. Well, yeah. Considering that the teams that are going to use a “ringer” have already signed them on far earlier in the season, Ray’s choices will be limited. The question is, can he get one that will be better than Jeremy, and actually show it. If it’s a close call, don’t do it Ray. There’s still 14 races after Watkins Glen to get back into the top 35. Although missing the show might make it a little tougher, look at who they’re up against. It can be done. Reason being is that even if Mayfield missed the show, he would still get owner points for the effort. Considering the competition that is just barely in front of them, and their performance will be far from stellar this weekend, in reality Mayfield would only lose a handful of owners points as those that are barely in the top 35 aren’t going to fair too well at the Glen.
With the remaining 14 races it’s plenty of time to get things fixed, and there is no doubt that Ray will get it done. He’ll have to. If the rumor’s of Elliot Sadler heading into that seat next year are true, being in the top 35 in owners points come Homestead is a must as Sadler will need a little adjustment period to get used to the quirks of a Dodge vs a Ford. Then again, after driving the dump trucks that Yates has put on the track this season, it may be a welcomed change even though the #19 obviously hasn’t been up to snuff.
Fina note on Evernham for the moment, how ’bout that #10 car? Scott Riggs still continues his decent runs, and (as we mention often) even after missing race #1 is far from having the worries that the #19 has. It’s funny, looking back to this past spring. Rumors were around that Riggs was on his way out at Evernham. Nothing mentioned about Jeremy at all. Funny how it all works out in the end, isn’t?
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Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Nascar, Nextel Cup
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