Jeremy Mayfield , the subject of much speculation regarding his future in the series, has signed a contract extension with his current owner, Evernham Motorosports, to remain in the #19 Dodge, ThatsRacin.com has learned. An official announcement of Mayfield’s re-signing with Evernham is expected later Wednesday afternoon. Mayfield, 34, joined Evernham following the 2001 season. He owns three career Winston Cup wins, but none since joining Evernham. He is currently 20th in points, with nine top-10 and three top-five finishes, including two runner-up finishes. Mayfield’s first Cup win came in 1998 with Penske Racing, when he also finished a career-high seventh in points. He earned two more wins in 2000 and left the organization near the end of the 2001 season. Mayfield struggled at the start of this season, but in recent weeks his No. 19 team has improved dramatically. All three of his top-fives this season have come in the past seven races. Mayfield has grown increasingly frustrated recently as his job status appeared to be up in the air, and other Cup teams began expressing interest in his services. “All we need is to be left alone for a while,” Mayfield said following his second-place finish at Dover, Del. “Let us race. We’ve fought rumors since I’ve been there. I’ve been in the rumor mill forever. Now, the 9 car is. … Let us race.”( ThatsRacin.com )(10-22-2003)
