Ray Evernham no longer signs Jeremy Mayfield's paychecks. Credit: Autostock

Mayfield released by Evernham Motorsports

No announcement made on new driver; Elliott running at Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Jeremy Mayfield has been released from Evernham Motorsports, team owner Ray Evernham said Friday morning at Watkins Glen International.

"He has been terminated, and I honestly don't want to discuss the terms with that," Evernham said.

Jeremy Mayfield has been driving the No. 19 Dodge since 2002.

Inside the Numbers Jeremy Mayfield's 2006 stats Race Start Finish Status Daytona 26 36 running California 21 22 running Las Vegas 24 25 running Atlanta 20 41 running Bristol 10 16 running Martinsville 23 26 engine Texas 34 31 running Phoenix 28 26 running Talladega 36 13 running Richmond 38 32 running Darlington 30 38 running Charlotte 2 15 running Dover 2 18 running Pocono 26 23 running Michigan 18 36 running Sonoma 32 22 running Daytona 42 36 running Chicago 16 24 running Loudon 37 29 running Pocono 22 37 running Indy 15 41 suspension Average 23.9 27.9

Mayfield told NASCAR.COM through his wife, Shana, that he could not talk about the situation at this time because of legal reasons.

Mayfield is seeking a legal remedy to the termination of his contract, sources told Sporting News' NASCAR News Service on Friday.

According to the NASCAR News Service story, information obtained from sources in the Iredell County Clerk of Court's office in Statesville, N.C., indicated Mayfield had obtained a temporary restraining order, the contents of which were not immediately known, and was seeking a preliminary injunction against his ouster in a hearing in Statesville on Friday.

Mayfield was replaced for this weekend's race by former Cup champion Bill Elliott on Tuesday. When contacted by NASCAR.COM, Mayfield said he was not told about the driver change.

Evernham, however, said his team contacted Mayfield Motorsports' agent on Monday and began the discussions.

"I haven't spoken to Jeremy, but from what I understand he was surprised when he was told Monday morning," Evernham said. "My [chief financial officer] and general manager spoke to Jeremy's agent at Mayfield Motorsports on Monday."

Now Mayfield is out of the car for good, a move that was speculated last month at Chicagoland when the driver aired concerns about how the owner had not done anything to help his struggling team.

"When the performance is not up to par, it's frustrating on both sides," Evernham said Friday. "The decision was made because of the performance of the car. There was certainly frustration, and we weren't pleased with some of the comments that were made. But in no way was that the reason for the change."

Mayfield has been mired in a season far below expectations. He was 34th in the driver standings and did not record a top-10 finish. After last week's 41st-place finish at Indianapolis, the team fell out of the top 35 in owners' points, meaning there was no guaranteed starting spot in this week's road-course race at The Glen.

"We just need a guy -- or a girl -- who can run that car in 20th or 25th position," said Evernham, who noted that Truck Series driver Erin Crocker was not an option because she needed more experience. "That car is good enough to run in the top 35 in points.

"I need a 25-year-old Bill Elliott."

Elliott was named as a temporary replacement for this weekend, but because it is a post-entry, he is not guaranteed a spot in the field based on his past champion's provisional.

	ELLIOTT TO RUN GLEN Bill Elliott will be in the No. 19 Dodge that Jeremy Mayfield has driven for Evernham since 2002 this weekend at Watkins Glen.  •   Complete story,  click here ALSO •   Message Board:  What are your thoughts on this?

"They just called me and asked me to be here Tuesday, and now I'm here [Friday]," said Elliott, who was among the first drivers at the track Friday and took a ride around the 2.45-mile course with road-racing ace Boris Said.

Elliott's time in the 19 will only be temporary. He is scheduled to run two more races (California and Homestead) for Michael Waltrip and three races (Charlotte, Atlanta and Texas) for Team Red Bull.

"Other than that, I don't know," Elliott said.

Evernham said his driver lineup for 2007 is set but would not elaborate, although reportedly Elliott Sadler has already accepted a deal to drive the car in 2007.

"It's great to know we have everything in order, but right now I'm having trouble seeing past Sunday," Evernham said. "I need to get it turned around this year because the car's too good where it's at right now."

Whether a full-time driver will take over before the end of the season is unknown for sure, Evernham said.

"The decision to make a change in the 19 had nothing to do with whether [an immediate driver change] could or could not happen," Evernham said. "It would make the most sense if we could do that, for sure."