Why does Jeremy Mayfield not have a solid ride?

Question

He is a two time chase contender, 5 career wins, 9 poles, 96 career top tens, and is only 39 years old, what gives? I know these are not Jeff Gordon stats, but does he have an attitude behind the scenes that turns off owners? Did he "burn" himself by publicly denouncing Ray Evernham, thus turning other car owners away? Compare this, Jimmy Spencer has only 2 career wins, and had a ride until his late 40s. Joe Nemechek is in his mid 40s, 4 career wins, and he still has a ride.

Answer 1

Basically, Jeremy is a difficult driver to work with. He's managed to get booted out of his rides with Penske, GEM,BDR and actually asked out of his ride with Haas/CNC.

Answer 2

I honestly think the whole thing with Ray Evernham has made other owners kinda anxious about hiring him. And to me, that shows that he is a very petty person. The deal with Evernham had nothing to do with Mayfields team or anything like that.

Answer 3

I don't think he's a good employee to have around. Ray Evernham even accused him of wrecking the car on purpose at Indy during his last start in that car. I remember because Elliott took over two weeks later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56jw_9zj2...

It does look like he rode the wall for way too long.

Answer 4

Uh, have you seen him drive recently? There's an awful lot of wreckin' goin' on.

Answer 5

A driver has to keep the sponsors extra happy if he doesn't have a hot-rod anywhere near the Chase. Mayfield burned some bridges and it has ended up being a situation where they can never be repaired. I don't see him being in the big show in the foreseeable future, but he may end up in the truck series, but in a situation where he brings a sponsorship deal to the table.

Answer 6

i think that 1. ray may have black listed him... i mean this isnt a normal job but you have to have support of previous owners to move on in your career right? if ray is getting asked about jeremy he could be telling other owners some bad stuff... can never be proven but it is a possibility... and 2. that he sort of shot himself in the foot when he outed ray because other owners may feel they cant trust jeremy... whatever the reason it sucks because i thought that jeremy was a great driver who just got tired of his owner caring more about his affair than his cars

Answer 7

Because owners would rather waste their time and money on somebody from Indy or some hotshot rookie.

Answer 8

i think he talks alot of **** according to my inside sources. he needs to shut up and drive.  he has many options but his rep is way ahead of him thanks to evernhanm.

Answer 9

Performance is only one measure of a driver. It's no different in any other profession. No matter how good you are you have to be able to fit in with the organization or move on.

A history of confronting your boss in the media and the courts isn't good on your resume.

Answer 10

Because he sucks.

Answer 11

There are better drivers than him. Top teams aren't going to spend thousands of dollars on a new crew and car so that he can record some DNF's and Top 15 finishes in it.

Answer 12

He`s a talented driver , but his attitude & mouth  have pretty much sealed his fate unless MWR  or Petty Ent. pick him up.

Answer 13

I'm not sure but he indeed was a great driver. In 1998 and 99 he was like 1st and 2nd in points for a big part of the season on team Penske, which obviously means he has the talent, so it must be something underlying.

Answer 14

nothing against mayfield but he is just geting old and loosing talent and needs to retire or something

Answer 15

Honestly he has 'authority issues.'  He has been to what 3 different teams in the last 2 years,  or something like that.  I just think he needs to learn to keep his mouth shut and understand the owners are the owners of the cars, not him; then he'll land a solid ride.  Good driver, lousy work attitude (not getting along with authority.)

Answer 16

Hes hard to work with