Mayfield Misses Deadline to Enter Car at Daytona
Jeremy Mayfield misses deadline to enter his No. 41 Toyota at Daytona International Speedway
The outstanding balance would make it difficult for him to purchase a motor to use in the No. 41, and he also would have had to pay a $5,005 late entry fee to bring his own car to Daytona.
His other option was finding a team owner willing to give him a ride. Ten teams are trying to qualify for eight open spots in Saturday night's race, but only a handful likely would consider making a driver change to accommodate Mayfield.
Of them, Tommy Baldwin, Larry Gunselman, Joe Nemechek and Phil Parsons said they weren't interested.
"Whether he's right, wrong or different right now, he's marked," said Tommy Baldwin, an interim crew chief for Mayfield in 2007. "And that's going to hurt him probably for the rest of his career."
Driving Gunselman's No. 64 was believed to be Mayfield's best opportunity at Daytona, but Gunselman said Southeastern-based discount store Fred's, which signed on to sponsor the car this weekend, did not want to associate itself with Mayfield.
"They probably would choose not to be involved at this particular time," said Gunselman, who added he had not had any direct conversations with Mayfield about replacing Mike Wallace in the car.
"For being a small, startup team that's struggled, I have to consider every potential scenario for our race team. Everybody's feelings are kind of sensitive at the moment, and I'd have to be very aware of everything involved."
Gunselman, who does not have a sponsor lined up for next week in Chicago, said he'd be willing to work with Mayfield going forward.
"I've been involved in NASCAR for a long time, and I'm hoping all parties can put this thing behind them and move forward in a positive manner," he said. "If I can help mediate that or be somehow involved in that, that would be wonderful."
There was mixed reaction throughout the garage whether Mayfield will be able to move past the suspension and the ongoing lawsuits. Many drivers said they believed Mayfield will blend right in when he does return, but Baldwin doesn't think it will be so easy.
