#36 Team Past News and Rumors
NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
Past 2007 News
#36 team to get #23 owners pts: Q) Butch Leitzinger is in the #23 car this weekend for Bill Davis Racing, but why not put him the #36 for owner points?
A): Great question. I [Tom Jensen] just went to the Nextel Cup garage here and spoke with Mike Brown, general manager of Bill Davis Racing. He said that the owner points the #23 gets this weekend will be credited to the #36. It's the same team, but sponsor Caterpillar wanted both cars with consecutive numbers this weekend, so BDR asked NASCAR if it was OK to change numbers but still have the points go to the #36 and NASCAR approved it.(FoxSports/Tom Jensen)(6-23-2007)
Two CAT cars at Sonoma, no #36, Mayfield sits out: There will be two Cat/Bill Davis Racing entries at the road course this weekend. Dave Blaney will be joined this weekend at Bill Davis Racing by road racer Butch Leitzinger who will drive the #23 Caterpillar Racing entry at Infineon Raceway. Jeremy Mayfield will return to his regular ride in the #36 360 OTC Toyota next week at [Loudon] New Hampshire International Speedway. Leitzinger has made three starts in Nextel Cup Series competition - all at Watkins Glen International -
and has finished as high as 12th. Leitzinger takes a break from his American LeMans Series driving duties with Dyson Racing to compete in the event at Infineon Raceway for BDR. The 38-year old from Homestead, Pa., has won the 24 Hours of Daytona three times, the World Sportscar Championship twice and both the CanAm Championship and IMSA GTU Championship. He has also posted three victories in NASCAR's Busch North Series and a podium finish in the Busch Series event at Watkins Glen International. The #22 Caterpillar Toyota Blaney is scheduled to drive this weekend at Infineon Raceway is COT 11. The team has tested this Toyota Camry at Virginia International Raceway twice during the last several weeks in preparation for this event. The team has prepared COT 9 for Leitzinger to drive this weekend. Though this car wasn't tested at VIR, Leitzinger spent several days testing with the team at that track. Tom Hubert, a native of
Cottonwood, Calif. and rear tire changer for the #22 Caterpillar Racing team, will once again compete in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series event at Infineon Raceway Saturday afternoon. Hubert finished fifth in the race last year after starting in the 11th spot.(BDR PR)(6-19-2007)
Hyder gets new gig, crew chief for Mayfield UPDATE: Crew chief David Hyder, fired from Michael Waltrip Racing last month, will return to the pit box next weekend at Dover International Speedway to guide the #36 Toyota driven by Jeremy Mayfield, Bill Davis Racing competition director Tommy Baldwin told ESPN.com Saturday. Hyder is already working in the BDR shop, preparing a car to test Tuesday at North Carolina Speedway in preparation for Dover, Baldwin said. Hyder was fined $100,000 and suspended indefinitely by NASCAR in the first week of the season after an illegal substance was found in the carburetor on the #55 Toyota prior to qualifying.
NASCAR will lift the suspension on May 30, opening the door for Hyder to join BDR. Baldwin is relieved to bring Hyder on board. He'd been pulling double duty since March, serving both as crew chief for Mayfield's team and as the organization's competition director. "Thank god," Baldwin said with a grin. "It's time for me to focus on the future of this organization." Hyder was unavailable for comment.(ESPN.com)(5-26-2007)
UPDATE: Bill Davis Racing (BDR) announced that David Hyder has joined the organization and will serve as crew chief for the #36 OTC 360 Racing team and driver Jeremy Mayfield beginning this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Hyder will take over for Interim
Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin who will be left to concentrate on his position of Director of Competition for the BDR Nextel Cup Series program. "David is a competitor," stated team owner Bill Davis. "He sees what needs to be done and he does it, and the 360 OTC Racing team and both the Bill Davis Racing Cup programs will benefit from that. I anticipate David and Jeremy working really well together and this team getting stronger and stronger each week. I think David will be a great addition to our organization." Hyder joins Bill Davis Racing after spending several years as a crew chief in NASCAR's premiere Series. Hyder spent two years in that capacity at BAM Racing before moving to the Wood Brothers Organization in 2006, working with Ken Schrader in the Cup Series and with Jon Wood in the team's Busch Series program before heading back to BAM Racing to finish out the 2006 season. Hyder began the 2007 campaign at Michael Waltrip Racing. "It's good to be back and it's great to have an opportunity like this one," said the 39-year-old Hyder. "I have a great deal of respect for Bill Davis. He's been in this sport for a long time and has shown he knows what it takes to win. I'm looking forward to working with Jeremy, who has proven himself as a winner, Toyota, 360 OTC and everyone involved with the organization. I think there is a bright future at BDR and I'm glad to be a part of it. From what I can see, we have everything we need to build this #36 team into something we can all be
proud of and I'm ready to get started."
Hyder, a native of High Point, N.C., started his racing career behind the wheel and spent 17 years competing in late model cars in both the Hooters Pro Cup and Slim Jim All-Pro Series' before jumping on top the pit box and calling the shots as a crew chief in the Hooters Pro Cup ranks. He began his tenure in NASCAR at Petty Enterprises and spent over four years with that organization serving as the car chief for the #43 and #45 Cup teams. Hyder, who resides in Trinity, N.C. has two children, ages 13 and 17.(BDR PR)(5-29-2007)
Morgan-McClure sues 360 OTC: #4-Morgan-McClure Motorsports has sued 360 OTC parent company Rockford-Montgomery Labs in federal court in Atlanta. The team claims that it signed a $10.1 million deal for the company to sponsor Morgan-McClure's #4 car in 2007. Because of the sponsorship, McClure planned on running two cars next season and had outlined a tentative agreement with driver Johnny Sauter, according to the lawsuit and the accompanying documents. The sponsorship deal was signed June 14, 2006, but 360 OTC announced on Aug. 25, 2006 that it would sponsor Bill Davis Racing's #36 team and driver Jeremy Mayfield. In its complaint, Morgan-McClure claims the team was assured that Rockford-Montgomery Labs would still continue with its Morgan-McClure obligations in addition to the BDR commitments. With that knowledge, according to the suit, Morgan-McClure pursued a deal with Sauter, who was driving in the Busch Series for Haas CNC Racing last year. The deal was worth $450,000 in base salary plus 35% of all winnings and 33% of merchandise sales. Rockford-Montgomery Labs then told Morgan-McClure it would terminate the sponsorship agreement Nov. 1 citing poor 2006 performance, the lack of a driver and the lack of time to prepare promotional materials. The company has not paid Morgan-McClure any money, according to the complaint. Because the sponsorship did not come through, Morgan-McClure could not commit to Sauter, who wound up staying at Haas CNC Racing and driving a second Nextel Cup car for the team this year. In its response, Rockford-Montgomery Labs denies most of the allegations. It also states that McClure sent an e-mail to the company in late October saying it had not been able to finalize a deal for Sauter. The sponsorship deal was for one year with three one-year options at the same $10.1 million per year. Team owner Larry McClure and Sauter declined comment. Representatives of Rockford-Montgomery Labs could not be reached for comment.(SceneDaily.com)(5-11-2007)
Wimmer suing Davis: Scott Wimmer filed a lawsuit earlier this week against Bill Davis Racing, claiming he is owed $1.2 million in salary for the 2006 season because the team did not follow the procedure in the contract to fire him. In the suit filed Monday in North Carolina Superior Court in Greensboro, N.C., Wimmer alleges BDR did not tell him until Oct. 24, 2005, that he would not be the driver in 2006. He claims that violated a clause in the contract which states that if the driver is not in the top 25 in the standings by Sept, 1, "team shall have the right to issue a written notice that driver is being placed on a 30-day notice stating that performance level must be improved to the satisfaction of sponsor and team by September 30th of current year or team may issued [sic] a written notice of termination of driver agreement at the end of current Nextel Cup season." Wimmer claims he received no written notice, that the team told the media around Oct. 8 that he would return in 2006 but then sent him a termination letter Oct. 24. According to the lawsuit, Wimmer was being paid $600,000 for the 2004 season, $900,000 for 2005 and $1.2 million for 2006. He also received 45% of prize money as well as 33.3 percent of royalties from team merchandise. Wimmer drove in Nextel Cup for Morgan-McClure Motorsports for much of the 2006 season. He is driving for Richard Childress Racing in select Busch and Nextel Cup Series events this year.(SceneDaily.com)(5-3-2007)
360 OTC leaves World of Outlaws as title sponsor UPDATE 2: World Racing Group announced today, effective immediately its national late model touring series will be known as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, removing 360OTC as title sponsor. “We enthusiastically promoted the 360OTC brand and were delivering, and even over delivering, on our obligations in the partnership,” said World Racing Group CEO Tom Deery. “Unfortunately, Rockford-Montgomery Labs and its 360OTC brand were not able to live up to its responsibilities and obligations and we are effectively ending the sponsorship.(WoO site), no word how or if this effects sponsorship of the #36 Bill Davis Racing Nextel Cup team of Jermey Mayfield or the BDR Truck Series team of Tyler Walker. BDR has no comments about the situation. BDR reps responded to email with a 'no comment' when asked about the sponsor.(4-23-2007)
UPDATE: 360 OTC returns as the primary sponsor of Johnny Benson's #23 Toyota for the second Truck Series race in a row this weekend at Kansas Speedway. Benson will join BDR teammate Tyler Walker in representing 360 OTC on the side of his #36 truck. This will be the second of 10 races this season with 360 OTC as the primary sponsor on Benson's truck, and is also Walker’s first attempt to race at the Kansas Speedway.(BDR PR)(4-23-2007)
UPDATE 2: Rockford-Montgomery Labs Inc. and its 360 OTC brand have been removed as the title sponsor to the World of Outlaws. But for now, it doesn't have anything to do with the company's sponsorships in NASCAR. The Athens, Ga.-based company has sponsorships with two trucks, driven by Tyler Walker and Johnny Benson, in the Craftsman Truck Series, as well as Jeremy Mayfield's #36 Toyota in the Nextel Cup Series. All three are scheduled to race this week - the trucks at Kansas, Mayfield at Talladega, AL. All three teams will carry the green and black colors of 360OTC, a team spokeswoman said.(Augusta Chronicle)(4-26-2007)
Latest on the #36 team rumors UPDATE: been told that members of the #36 Bill Davis Racing team were told that if the team were shutting down, they would find out from team owner Bill Davis and not thru the media and that BDR is contracted with Toyota to field two teams even if the sponsor were to leave the team or not pay the bills. See past news on the #36 rumors below.(3-23-2007)
UPDATE: The #36 Bill Davis Racing Toyota team is not shutting down, team manager Tommy Baldwin told ESPN.com Thursday. "By no means are we slowing down with that team," Baldwin said. "But reality is reality. You don't make races you're going to be out of business. Any team. Not just the 36. We're certainly not in that position right now." Driver Jeremy Mayfield has yet to qualify for a race this season, spawning speculation that the team was in peril. "The reality of it is we've missed the first four races," Baldwin said. "It's been a hard thing to swallow as a race team. We've just got to keep working with the 36, figure out what Jeremy really wants [in the car]." Baldwin explained that Mayfield's driving style is vastly different than that employed by Dave Blaney, driver of BDR's #22 Toyota. As a result, what he wants to feel at the wheel is also quite different. "Jeremy's a finesse driver," Baldwin said. "He feels a lot of things in the steering wheel. Some things he doesn't like compared to Dave -- Dave can just drive through the situation where Jeremy is feeling a lot of things and it's making him uncomfortable. "The team is close. The people working on it are doing a really good job. The car is prepared really well. The car is built right. But I don't know if it's being they're built to Jeremy's liking. Being associated with Jeremy in the past [at Evernham Motorsports], there were some differences we had to do back then between the two drivers. It's pretty much the same here, we're finding out." To combat the situation, Baldwin said cars dedicated to Mayfield are being cut up and rebuilt. He said they went to the wind tunnel Thursday and will go twice more in the coming two weeks. Baldwin said Toyota is doing everything it can to assist BDR's development, and that Mayfield is fully engaged and handling it well. What about him? Is it time for a full time return to crew chief? "I don't want to," Baldwin said. "I want to keep working on the future of Bill Davis Racing as well as what's going on today. I've had to stop a lot of things, change my focus because of this role. But until we get into making the races and the direction we need to go there's no sense in bringing someone else into the company just yet."(ESPN.com)
AND: been told by sources at the track, the #36 has 360 OTC decals on the car....and Mayfield is 3rd fastest in practice at Bristol as of 11:10pm/et.(3-23-2007)
#36 BDR team shutting down? UPDATE 2: was told about a report on a local racing radio show, Gary Danko's Speedway Line Report, a 90 minute show [WATR 1320AM out of Waterbury CT] where Jeff "The Jet" Zarella of the #15 DEI team said that he is hearing that the #36 360 OTC Toyota team of Bill David Racing, that Jeremy Mayfield drives for, could shut down soon, and said he had heard that if the #36 didn't make last weeks race at Atlanta, the team would not run at Bristol. However, the team and Mayfield are listed on the Bristol Nextel Cup race entry list and have checked with a few sources and been told the team and Mayfield will attempt Bristol.(source: Gary Danko's Speedway Line Report)
AND in the Bristol pre-race report from Billdavisracing.com...quotes Jeremy Mayfield on Bristol Motor Speedway…“Maybe this whole Car of Tomorrow thing is exactly what this team needs right now. Something new, something different. We feel like we’re working so hard day in and day out, and we haven’t got anything to show for it. It’s tough. It’s tough to stay positive and not drive yourself crazy trying to figure out what you’re doing wrong. But I don’t think there’s anything major that is wrong right now. It’s just been a bunch of little stuff, and sometimes we beat ourselves and sometimes we just plain get beat. There’s no room for error in Nextel Cup racing anymore. Each and every team that shows up has a legitimate shot at making the race. The days of field fillers are over, and we need to step up our program to get where we need to be so that we’re one of the teams that makes the field every Friday. It’s just that simple; we won’t give up until we get there. We show up every weekend thinking we’ll race on Sunday, and that’s not going to change. This is a good bunch of guys, and we’ll get there because no one is going to let anyone give up.”(3-21-2007)
UPDATE: nothing new on this..yet, but noticed....the 360 OTC website had a forum/message board for Jeremy Mayfield fans, but it has supposedly been shut down and folks cannot log on to it.
UPDATE 2: XM Radio's Claire B. Lang had #36 car owner Bill Davis on the phone last night for an interview and he adamantly denies any rumors of shutting down Jeremy Mayfield's team. Said it was just something someone on the 15 team said on radio and there is absolutely no truth to it. And Mayfeild says on a podcast on the 360 OTC site that that he was in the shop Tuesday with crew chief Tommy Baldwin and is looking forward to going to Bristol and was getting ready to leave for the track. And the updated Entry list came out from NASCAR on Thursday, Mayfield is still entered and listed in the #36 360 OTC Toyota.(3-22-2007)
Baldwin to crew chief Mayfield? UPDATE: hearing that Tommy Baldwin Jr. will crew chief the #36 360 OTC Toyota that Jeremy Mayfield at Las Vegas and beyond. Derrick Finley was the crew chief for the first two races but the team has failed to qualify for the first two races of the 2007 season.(2-28-2007)
UPDATE: Bill Davis Racing (BDR) announced today that Tommy Baldwin Jr. has assumed the role of interim crew chief for the #36 360 OTC Racing team and driver Jeremy Mayfield. Baldwin takes over those duties from Derrick Finley, who will remain with the team in an engineering capacity. "We're fortunate to have someone like Tommy, with his record as a crew chief and his abilities as a team leader, available within our organization in situations like these," stated team owner Bill Davis. "Derrick Finley has been an integral part of the Bill Davis Racing family for several years and will remain with us serving in a different role. Obviously, the 360 OTC Racing team has struggled in the early stages of the season and we felt it would be in the best interest of the team and our sponsors to make the change." During this time, Baldwin's main priority will continue to be serving as Competition Director for all of Bill Davis Racing's Nextel Cup teams and assuring BDR's growth as an organization. Baldwin will act as crew chief for the #36 team only until a suitable replacement is found.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(3-2-2007)
UPDATE 2: Tommy Baldwin told Sirius NASCAR Radio's "Sirius Speedway" Friday that he has no intention of making his return to the top of the pitbox a full-time affair. "We'll give this a whirl for the next 2-3 races, until we can find someone else to sit on the pit box," he said. "But this is not a full-time position for me. I was just gettng settled into the Director of Competition position, and I've still got a lot of work to so there. But for now, I'll be doing the two jobs at once."(Sirius NASCAR Radio)(3-3-2007)
Finley named #36 crew chief, also many addtions to organization: Bill Davis Racing (BDR) announced that Derrick Finley will serve as crew chief for the #36 OTC 360 team and driver Jeremy Mayfield. In addition, the team has added several key employees to
its organization. Finley, 35, began his tenure at Bill Davis Racing near the end of the 2003 season and was chosen to become the crew chief of the #22 Caterpillar team for the final two races of the 2004 campaign. Finley spent 2005 calling the shots for that team before moving to the #55 [Michael Waltrip] team for the 2006 season. Midway through 2006, Finley returned to his engineering roots and became a key part of both the #55 and #22 teams' efforts. Finley will pair up with veteran driver Jeremy Mayfield in 2007.
In addition, Bill Davis Racing has added several key employees to its roster. Gene DeHart has been called upon to oversee the team's speedway program. DeHart most recently was involved with DeHart, Inc., using his expertise hanging bodies and building Chassis for various Nextel Cup, Busch and Truck Series teams. Prior to that he was with Kevin Harvick, Incorporated.
Gary Grossenbacher has also joined BDR and will function as the Cup program aerodynamicist. Grossenbacher spent the past three years working as the Technical Director for Synergy Racing in the Grand American Sports Car Series. Before that, Grossenbacher worked for G2 Inc., on its General Motors Motorsports Technology Group contract, which included engineering design, manufacturing,
application and support of NASCAR suppliers and race teams.
Veteran crew chief Gene Nead has also been hired by Bill Davis Racing. Nead comes to BDR from Kevin Harvick, Inc. where he guided the #77 Busch Series team. At BDR Nead will oversee research and development as well as lead the ARCA RE/MAX and Busch Series programs for BDR driver Bobby Santos.
The engine department has added the knowledge and skills of Dr. Andrew Randolph. Dr. Randolph received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1985. During a 22-year career at General Motors and in NASCAR, Dr. Randolph's work has ranged from fundamental engine research to mass-production engine development and from Wankel rotaries to Pro Stock drag engines. In the process he has become one of the world's foremost authorities on combustion analysis. He has contributed to five NASCAR Cup championships with three different teams. Dr. Randolph most recently served as Director of Engine Development for Hendrick Motorsports.(BDR PR)(1-5-2007)
Past 2006 News
Mayfield to run the #09 car at Phoenix & Homestead: Jeremy Mayfield, who will run the #36 360 OTC Toyota in the Nextel Cup Seires for Bill Davis Racing in 2007, will run the #09 Miccosukee Gaming Dodge for Phoenix Racing/owner James Finch at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mayfield is running the #15 Chevy truck this weekend in the Truck Series race at Atlanta.(NASCAR.com)(10-28-2006)
Mayfield could run #15 Truck at Atlanta UPDATE at Vegas: on Speed Channel's Inside Nextel Cup Monday, Jeremy Mayfield was interviewed and said he was talking to the #15 Billy Ballew Racing Truck Series team about possibly running a truck at Atlanta for the team in October. Mayfield said he also expects to test for Bill Davis Racing and Toyota for the rest of the season.(Speed Channel's Inside Nextel Cup)(9-6-2006)
UPDATE: Jeremy Mayfield will get a leg up on the competition before the 2007 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on Las Vegas Motor Speedway's new high banks. Mayfield, who has run every Nextel Cup race held at LVMS, will compete in the Smith's Las Vegas 350 Craftsman Truck Series race on Saturday, Sept. 23. It will be the first race held at the speedway since the banking in the turns was raised from 12 to 20 degrees and the pit road was moved 275 feet closer to the grandstands. Mayfield will drive the #15 Chevy for Billy Ballew. Ballew is no stranger to Victory Lane in the Truck Series or at LVMS. Shane Hmiel won the 2004 Smith's Las Vegas 350 driving for Ballew and Las Vegas' Kyle Busch has won four races in the past two years for Ballew. Tickets for the Smith's Las Vegas 350 are on sale by calling the speedway at 1-800-644-4444 or logging on to www.lvms.com.(LVMS PR)(9-14-2006)
Bill Davis Racing announced 2007 lineup; Mayfield in #36; Blaney back in #22: Bill Davis Racing (BDR) announced today [8/24] that Jeremy Mayfield will join the organization to drive the #36 Toyota Camry the team will field in 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition. Additionally, Dave Blaney, current driver of the #22 Bill Davis Racing entry, will remain in the Caterpillar car for the '07 season. "We're happy to have Dave back in the Caterpillar car next year, and we're just as excited that Jeremy has decided to join our team," said Team Owner Bill Davis. "Both of these men are very talented and capable drivers who are veterans of the sport and yet still hungry to win. Both Jeremy and Dave are extremely knowledgeable and will play an important part in taking our race team to the next level." 360 OTC joins Bill Davis Racing to serve as the primary sponsor of the #36 Toyota machine beginning with the '07 Daytona 500. Headquartered in Athens, Ga., Rockford-Montgomery Labs, Inc. is the developer of 360 OTC, a brand of FDA-approved Over-the-Counter (OTC) pain relief medicines. Included in the 360 OTC family are 360 OTC Relief, which relieves symptoms of headache, fatigue, heartburn, upset stomach and generalized aches and pains associated with a hangover, and 360 OTC Lite Relief, a caffeine-free version of 360 OTC. Other products include 360 OTC Ignite, a fast-acting alertness aid that safely helps restore mental alertness during times of drowsiness and fatigue, and 360 OTC Hangover Relief, which relieves generalized aches and pains associated with a hangover.
"We have done an incredible amount of research to find the perfect combination of ownership, team chemistry, driver performance and manufacturers support," said Michelle Shearer, CEO of Rockford-Montgomery Labs. "There is no question that we have found the best business partner in NASCAR to entrust the value of our brand. " Having Bill and Gail Davis, Tommy Baldwin, Jeremy Mayfield and Toyota behind our brand on the track every week is a direct reflection of our commitment to NASCAR fans, our retailers and our shareholders. We need to get the 360 OTC #36 Toyota Camry in victory lane, and we are very fortunate to have this winning combination at BDR to accomplish that goal."
"We feel like we've put together a winning combination," Davis said. "Rockford-Montgomery Labs, Inc. is a solid company which has learned in the short time they have been involved in the sport just how big a marketing tool NASCAR can be. They were interested in finding a spokesperson that can get their #36 Toyota to victory lane as well as appeal to the people in their market. Everyone agrees that Jeremy is that guy. He's a proven winner and is obviously a talented and consistent driver, as well as a smart businessman. He brings with him Chase experience and a great deal of excitement, and we feel fortunate to welcome both he and 360 OTC to our family."
Mayfield most recently competed for Evernham Motorsports. The 37-year-old driver, who hails from Owensboro, Ky., has made 402 starts at NASCAR's highest level and was a contender in the Chase for the Championship during both the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
"I'm very, very excited about the opportunity to be a part of Bill Davis Racing," Mayfield said. "I've always thought a lot of and had a lot of respect for Bill and Gail, and I'm thrilled to be a part of their organization. Obviously, I'm looking forward to working with Toyota, Todd Holbert [General Manager of Triad Racing Development, Inc.], Tommy Baldwin and everyone involved with the Toyota program, and I'm
looking forward to being a part of Toyota's entrance into NEXTEL Cup racing as well as working with them for a long time to come. Rockford-Montgomery Labs and 360 OTC has also given me a great opportunity, and I'm happy to have the chance to represent their company, their people and their products. From what I've seen at Bill Davis Racing, they have the resources in place and the desire to do whatever it takes to be competitive, and those are the kinds of people and the type of place that I want to be involved with."
Mayfield made his first Cup Series start in 1993 before teaming with Cale Yarborough the following season. He remained with that team through most of the 1996 season, before uniting with car owner Michael Kranefuss, who eventually joined forces with Roger Penske in 1997. Mayfield spent the next four seasons with the Penske organization. He scored his first career victory at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in 1998, and went on to finish seventh in the championship standings that year. Mayfield earned two more victories in 2000. He joined Evernham Motorsports beginning with the 2002 season, where he continued to prove his talent by winning races in 2004 and 2005. Mayfield has five NEXTEL Cup victories under his belt, has started from the pole position nine times and has posted 96 top-10 finishes throughout his career.
Blaney, a Hartford, Ohio, native, has been behind the wheel of the Caterpillar car the entire 2006 season. His first partnership with Bill and Gail Davis came back in 1998, when Blaney drove part-time in the NASCAR Busch Series. He joined the Cup Series in 2000 and remained with Bill Davis Racing through 2001. After departing to race for Jasper Motorsports in 2003, he returned to BDR to drive part-time in the Cup Series in 2004. In 2005, Blaney was invited drive for Richard Childress Racing, where he posted two top-10 finishes. In all, Blaney has made 222 starts in NASCAR's premiere series and has captured one pole position and 19 top-10 finishes during his tenure.
"It's certainly nice to know with half the season left where I'll be next year, and I'm glad it will be back with Bill Davis Racing," Blaney stated. "This is the place I have always considered home, and though we've struggled a bit more than anyone thought we would this year, we all think the future is bright for BDR. I'm excited about the opportunity to be a part of Toyota's entrance into the Cup Series, and I'm looking forward to working with Jeremy next year. I think next season has the possibility to be the best one Bill Davis Racing has ever seen."(Bill Davis Racing PR)(8-24-2006)
Mayfield to race this weekend at...Hickory [#36]: Jeremy Mayfield, former #19 Evernham Motorsports driver [and probable Bill Davis Racing driver soon] headlines several key players that will compete in the "Over the Mountain 150" on Sunday. Mayfield, a native of Owensboro, KY, and former ARCA Series Rookie of the Year, has competed in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series since 1993. "I just want to race," said Mayfield. "I'll be at Bristol (Motor Speedway) on Friday to appear on Trackside Live on SPEED Channel and make an announcement about my Cup career. Then, I'm heading over to Hickory Motor Speedway to have some fun and hopefully run real well in the PASS South Super Late Model race on Sunday. The Whorffs are giving me a great car and I'm even going to have my brand new Nextel Cup Series number [#36] on it for this weekend. I'm just real excited because Super Late Models are what I grew up with." Mayfield will compete in a car furnished by Whorff Motorsports and Bill and Jeremie Whorff, the father and son combination that finished one-two in this year's running of the prestigious Oxford 250 at Oxford-Plains Speedway (ME). Jeremie will now make the long trip down from Maine to race at Hickory on Sunday. Hickory-native Andy Houston will also make his PASS South debut during the "Over the Mountain 150." Houston is a veteran of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he scored three career wins. Houston, the son of legendary Busch Driver Tommy Houston, was the Hickory Motor Speedway Late Model track champion in 1994 and has spent time in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series. Speed Channel's Bob Dillner will also return to the driver's seat, but not behind the wheel of a PASS South Super Late Model. Instead, Dillner will pilot a car in the Redneck Racing Series. Dillner will race the #51 in the Chris James Foundation 25. Dillner was battling for the lead in the inaugural event in April before his engine erupted in flames.(Pass South Site)(8-23-2006)
Bill Davis Racing to announce Cup drivers at Bristol UPDATE: on Speed Channel's NASCAR Live Friday, Bob Dillner reported that Bill Davis Racing will make his driver announcements for 2007 at Bristol Motor Speedway next weekend, as reported Dave Blaney will return to the Caterpillar car in 2007, it has been rumored that Jeremy Mayfield will drive the 2nd Toyota, no word on a sponsor and no word on Bill Lester's plans as he was rumored as having a shot at the 2nd BDR Cup ride in 2007.(Speed Channel's NASCAR Live)(8-19-2006)
UPDATE - Mayfield signs with BDR: Jeremy Mayfield has signed a 3-year contract with options with Bill Davis Racing. BDR will make the formal announcement during a press conference Friday [at Bristol] when the organization will map out it's plans for 2007 and beyond. Team General Manager Mike Brown says Mayfield "Is everything we've been looking for. He's the kind of driver that was available that was marketable. Obviously he's had success the last couple of years winning races and being in the chase. It's exactly what we needed to facilitate a multi-year deal with a new and exciting sponsor." Brown likes the Mayfield-Tommy Baldwin driver/crew chief combo saying "Tommy's spent a couple of years with him at Evernham so he knows what he likes in cars. From that standpoint we've got a bonus there." Mayfield may not race competitively the rest of this season however he is expected to test beginning next week at Kentucky and Nashville.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(8-20-2006)
Mayfield claims Evernham's absence hurt team: 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. Mayfield made that allegation in his lawsuit against Evernham Motorsports filed Aug. 9 in North Carolina Superior Court in Iredell County after Evernham Motorsports informed Mayfield Motorsports Inc. on Aug. 7 that Mayfield would not drive the car in the Aug. 13 race at Watkins Glen. Evernham responded in an affidavit that he has worked diligently to make sure that the No. 19 team had the personnel and resources to be successful. See full report on SceneDaily.com.(8-17-2006)
More news on Mayfield: It has been reported that Jeremy Mayfield (released by Ray Evernham Friday) might be in the #38 Robert Yates Racing Ford beginning this week at Michigan. Mayfield certainly seems to be available. However, it appears David Gilliland, who has been working his way through the junior NASCAR ranks, is going to be the choice come next season for Yates and it has also been reported he could step into the car immediately with Elliott Sadler, already reportedly hired by Evernham for the #19 car next season, starting his new job next week [at MIS]. Some have said that Gilliland, who has not been approved for superspeedways including Talladega coming Oct. 8 during The Chase, might want to protect his rookie status for next year. Some in the know have said it’s not his decision but it’s up to Yates as to whether he wants the new kid to run for rookie honors in 2007. Meanwhile, there’s also was the suit filed by Mayfield to try to keep his ride with Evernham. That has allegedly gone through a negotiation and settlement phase and the settlement was reportedly scheduled to be presented to the judge in court in Statesville, N.C., Monday.(Ford Racing)(8-15-2006)
Latest on the Mayfield-Evernham legal battle: Jeremy Mayfield's immediate legal challenge to the terms of his firing by Evernham Motorsports has been resolved. Mayfield, who was released Monday, filed the request for an injunction in North Carolina Superior Court in Iredell County. Whether he could have gotten in the #19 car Friday is unclear as Bill Elliott pracaticed and qualified at Watkins Glen International. There was a hearing on the injunction Friday in North Carolina, and the parties had agreed in principle to settle after the hearing, a Dodge spokesman confirmed Friday night. The two sides released a statement Saturday morning: "Jeremy Mayfield, Mayfield Motorsports, Inc., and Evernham Motorsports LLC announced that they have agreed to end their relationship effective immediately. The parties agree that it is in their mutual best interests to go in different directions and wish each other success in the future." Elliott Sadler is expected to take over the #19 car in 2007 but possibly will take over the driving duties soon.(SceneDaily.com), looks like at Michigan next weekend.(8-13-2006)
Mayfield out..totally at Evernham? UPDATE 2 yep: hearing Evernham Motorsports has released #19 driver Jeremy Mayfield from driving duties for the rest of the season, no word if the contract situation has been resolved if he has been released....or if he will drive again this season in the Cup series.(8-10-2006)
UPDATE: 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. 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."(NASCAR.com)(8-11-2006)
MORE: Jeremy Mayfield, whom Ray Evernham said he terminated on Monday, was hoping to stall the firing by getting a temporary injunction Friday. The hearing was scheduled to begin at 11:30am/et in North Carolina Superior Court in Iredell County.
"Jeremy Mayfield has been terminated,"Evernham said. "We have 2007 plans in place. We hope to be able to announce them soon."
While Mayfield is expected to drive for Bill Davis Racing beginning next year, a source familiar with the situation said that team doesn't have an immediate ride available for the driver. Evernham Motorsports, though, is looking for a driver for the rest of the season and owner Ray Evernham would welcome the chance to get a jump on 2007 if the driver he's signed for next year were to become available sooner. That driver is expected to be Elliott Sadler, who may be available by the Aug. 18-20 Michigan Cup race weekend if Robert Yates Racing grants his release after Watkins Glen. For now, Bill Elliott is in the #19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge and Sadler remains in RYR's #38 Ford. Evernham said the reasoning behind the change was simple from his perspective. "Purely the performance of the car and the team is not where it should be to represent sponsors," he said Friday. "It's out of the top 35 in points now and that was really the big trigger on making a change. We just haven't delivered as a group on what we should be doing, so we needed to make some changes." A wreck at Indy knocked the #19 team out of the top 35, meaning its not guaranteed a starting spot for the AMD at the Glen. "It's one of those where as hard as you try to turn things around if they're not working, sometimes you just have to make a change to get it to work and it's certainly not been because of a lack of effort," Evernham said. Elliott is currently scheduled to attempt two more races for Michael Waltrip Racing and three for Team Red Bull. Evernham is expected to utilize the former champion's talent as often as possible until a more permanent replacement for the #19 team is found. "The decision to make the change in the 19 had nothing to do with whether that could or couldn't happen," Evernham said of Elliott's availability. "It would make the most sense if we could do that, for sure. ... But I can tell you that just having Bill Elliott back in the car is pleasant again." A phone call to Dale Cagle, Mayfield's business agent, was not immediately returned on Friday. RYR co-owner Doug Yates isn't sure what the future holds. While it's not been announced yet, David Gilliland will take over for Sadler, either sometime this year or next. "All that just happened, so we have to look at that and see what works," Yates said of potentially releasing Sadler prior to year's end. "We haven't really talked about that right now, but I'm not saying it's out of the question." If so, would Gilliland run more than seven races, making him ineligible for rookie of the year honors in '07? "David and I have talked about that," Yates said. " ... He feels right now he'd rather be in the car as much as he could, so that's the most important thing."(SceneDaily.com)(8-11-2006)