Mayfield Update: Out At Watkins Glen, Replaced By Bill Elliot
Tuesday, August 8th, 2006 4:24pm EDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
[thumb:177:l:s=1:l=x]According to Nascar.com, when the entry list for Watkins Glen came out, Jeremy Mayfield wasn’t on it. Instead, listed as driving the #19 is one Mr. Awesome Bill. Before we dive into the particulars, this situation has a real bad potential to get ugly, and fast.
According to the article, Mayfield said (as of late Tuesday morning) that he hadn’t heard a word about it from Evernham. He also went on to say that “It’s not professional, that’s for sure. That’s the way everything has worked around here for a while.”
The article also notes that Mayfield’s name was removed from the team release where it lists Evernham’s drivers. “Ruh Roh Raggy!”
Is this it then? This is how Mayfield’s story at Evernham ends? Yet another tale of “So Long, and thanks for all the fish”? Apparently Evernham had spoken with Mayfield Motorsports management Monday, however there wasn’t any news passed on to Jeremy. If this is truly Mayfield’s end in the #19 car, then it’s not very classy of Ray Evernham to put and end to it this way. He’s better than that. However Jeremy, for the record, if you plan on moving to Bill Davis as per the rumors, get used to it.
If Bill Elliot is indeed to pilot the car beyond Watkins Glen, Evernham is going to run into trouble. Bill still has agreements with Michael Waltrip Racing for another two races, and three races for Red Bull. This obviously leaves a gap for one third of the races remaining. Something that Evernham would have to fill, and fill well to even think about keeping that team in the top 35. His sweetheart Erin, just isn’t ready for such an endeavor. She is improving, and getting that all to valuable experience, but she isn’t ready for the pressure cooker of Nextel Cup and keeping a team in the top 35. That would be a task that is even a stiff drink to swallow for Elliot. “Hey Bill, this team is kinda stinking right now. Get ‘em back in the top 35 and keep ‘em there.” It’s a lot to ask of anyone.
If this is the changing of the guard, it isn’t a bad decision on Evernham’s part. It’s not the way to handle it, but the decision is understandable. They have to secure the top 35 for next year. Bill Elliot is virtually guaranteed to make the field via the past champions provisional, if he even needs it. This at least keeps them in the field, and provides more points in the owners standings. The next question would be, whom would fill the missing gaps? It can’t be any regular old Joe. It has to be someone that can at least bring it home in 20th or better, and beat out the people in front of them in owners points.
Kenny Wallace? Nope, already taken. Ward Burton? Possibly, but if he’s already engaged with another team as is the rumor, it wouldn’t be a likely scenario. Ricky Craven? Same deal there. He very well might be obligated to another team. It would have to be someone with Cup experience. Grabbing even a successful Busch or Truck driver won’t due here. So who would be available to do it? Jimmy Spencer? Yeah, when pigs fly.
How about Rusty? Even though he’s said he couldn’t before, because of ESPN and it’s coverage of the IRL, the IRL season ends in about a month. He also was a dodge driver before his exit at Homestead. Hmmm, interesting.
How about Boris Said? He’s running a limited schedule with his team, and it wouldn’t be out of the question. However, Ford and Roush might not like it. Then again, the Nascar family is bigger than just a sponsor or manufacturer. When someone is in need, they all pull together and help.
What if, Elliot Sadler could get an early release? Problem solved, and already on the way to working for 2007. Yates would get the benefit of Gilliland also getting some more seat time as well.
As it stands now, nobody really knows. It all hangs on if this is truly the separation of Mayfield and Evernham. Anything beyond that is pure speculation, filled with numerous “what if’s”.
However it falls it sure is heating up, and only more to come.
Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup
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Too much emphasis is placed on the “top 35″ issue. Yes that’s why Bill is in the car this week and possibly more to follow, but for the remainder of the year I don’t believe it should matter that much.
As for how he has been treated, turn about is fair play. When you start disrespecting the boss in the press before airing your thoughts with that boss you can’t expect to much in return.
And as I have posted, if I were an owner of a multi-million dollar team I wouldn’t touch Mayfield with a ten foot lug wrench.
Marc said this on August 8th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Well, I won’t go so far as to say it was disrespectful (Mayfield’s comments at Chicago), but perhaps not the brightest thing he’s ever said. It is true that he is upset with the team, which lead to those comments being blown way out of proportion. But there are many driver’s upset with their team/performance, and they aren’t being crucified. Either way, it wasn’t probably the best way to say it.
For the year though, I think it does matter. Reason being, Ray doesn’t want the next guy (presumed Sadler) to be in a position to get shafted in the first 5 races next season. Ensuring they are in the top 35 come Homestead buys them 5 races to put pressure aside and work on getting the team to start to gel.
However, even if Ray’s completely fed up with Mayfield, Ray’s better than that. Then again, it could have been that someone from Mayfield’s management was supposed to deliver the news, and failed to do so for whatever reason. Even still, that’s just passing the buck.
I think Jeremy is a decent driver. While he’s not a Gordon, Stewart, Johnson, etc, he is still good for a win or possibly two a season in decent equipment. If I were a top tier team owner, I’d probably look at other options.I also still think there are teams out there that will give him a shot, besides MWR and BDR. That being said though, wherever he goes he’d better make it count. There most likely won’t be a “next” time after this one.
Luke said this on August 8th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
Its a pure shame to see rich people having such problems. If people would wise up and quite watching this stupid garbage and get their own life these problems would go away.
d money said this on August 16th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Such is the problem with ALL professional sports.
But, at least NASCAR drivers understand just how fortunate they are. Most of them anyway. There are exceptions to every rule.
The highest paid athelete? Tiger cashes in at a nice $90M a year, according to the latest from Forbes magazine and their annual top paid “celebrities” list.
But hey, at least they don’t walk out for more like has happened in other sports.
Luke said this on August 16th, 2006 at 7:45 pm