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Evernham boots driver Jeremy Mayfield By JOHN KEKIS, AP Sports Writer
22 minutes ago


WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - Jeremy Mayfield, the driver of the No. 19 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports, has been terminated, owner Ray Evernham said. "It was purely performance," Evernham said Friday. "The car and the team is not where it should be to represent sponsors. We're out of the top 35 in points now. We just haven't delivered as a group."

Mayfield was told Monday, a day before Bill Elliott was listed to replace Mayfield for Sunday's AMD at The Glen. That fueled speculation that Mayfield was on the way out.

"It's one of those things where, as hard as you try to turn things around, if they're not working you have to make a change to get it to work," Evernham said. "Certainly, it has not been for a lack of effort."

Evernham said Elliott, who stopped racing a full schedule after 2003, would drive the car when his schedule permits. Elliott, soon to be 51, already is slated to drive five more races this season.

"I need a 25-year-old Bill Elliott — somebody that wants to drive," Evernham said.

Being in the top 35 in points is crucial because it guarantees a spot each week in the 43-car field, and Mayfield had been increasingly frustrated about his performance this year. He finished in the top 10 and qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup championship the last two seasons but had fallen to 36th in the standings this year. He said last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway he doubted he would be back next year.

"When performance is not up to par, there's always frustration on both sides," Evernham said. "The decision was primarily made based on the performance of the car and not being able to get it any better. In fact, it was getting worse."

Evernham said he'd soon announce plans for next season. It's been widely speculated that Elliott Sadler will replace Mayfield. Erin Crocker, who has been driving in the Craftsman truck and Busch series, is not a candidate because of her lack of experience.

"Just having Bill Elliott back in the car is pleasant again," Evernham said. "What I need to do is just find a little fountain of youth, and everything will be fixed."

The team was reeling after last Sunday's race in Indianapolis. Mayfield crashed out early, and Kasey Kahne, who drives Evernham's No. 9 Dodge, was involved in a last-lap accident that cost him a top-10 finish. He wound up 36th and dropped four spots in the standings to 11th — out of Chase eligibility.

With only five races left before the cutoff for the Chase, Evernham wants to get Kahne back in the top 10.