I Knew Mayfield Was Wrecking On Purpose

Jeremy Mayfield sought an injunction against Evernham Motorsports so that Bill Elliot would not be able to replace him at Watkins Glen last week. The court sided with Mayfield and so Ray Evernham settled so that Bill Elliot would be able to race the no. 19. Due to the injuction, a couple of accusations were made:

In his complaint, filed Aug. 9, Mayfield alleges that "at some point in time, Ray Evernham had entered into a close personal relationship with a female driver he engages to drive on NASCAR's ARCA, Truck and Busch Series." That relationship, Mayfield said in his filing, has resulted in a disengagement of Evernham from the affairs and operation of Evernham Motorsports. By process of elimination, the female driver referred to in the complaint is Erin Crocker.

So. . . Evernham was distracted by an alleged AFFAIR and consequently Mayfield's rides were not good enough? Hmmm.

NOW comes my favorite part. In the affidavit Evernham filed in response to Mayfield's suit, Evernham accused Mayfield of intentionally wrecking at the Allstate 400 at Indy. That was his final race in the no.19.

"On Aug. 7, 2006 (the race actually took place on Aug. 6) at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Speedway, I watched Mayfield wreck his car early in the race," Evernham's affidavit reads. "He slowed dramatically to let other cars pass the #19 Dodge in turn one and then brushed the wall at two places. The wreck was done in a manner to damage the #19 Dodge but not harm Mayfield. Based on my experience, Ibelieved that Mayfield's conduct in wrecking the car was on purpose."

The day after the Brickyard Mayfield dropped to 36th in owner points and his manager allegedlly received a phone call outlining two options of termination. What were they? They were the "easy way" and the "hard way." Mayfield decided to sue.

Mayfield is expected to race for Bill Davis Racing and Toyota next year and he has hopes of racing this year.