Mayfield replaces Green behind wheel of No. 66

Jeremy Mayfield, who was recently released from his ride at Bill Davis Racing, will replace Jeff Green at Haas CNC Racing effective immediately.

Mayfield will pilot the No. 66 for the duration of the season and next year.

Jeremy Mayfield

"We are thrilled to have Jeremy," said Joe Custer, general manager for Haas CNC. "He has been in the Chase two of the last four years and that was a big factor in our decision. We very excited."

That development means Johnny Sauter, currently piloting the No. 70 for Haas, also is out of a job. Scott Riggs, formerly at Gillett Evernhan Motorsports, is now under contract to Haas as well.

It is not known which car number -- the 66 or 70 -- that Mayfield or Riggs will drive in 2008.

Sauter said two weeks ago at Charlotte that team officials told him he could listen to offers, if anyone wanted to talk.

"I have been told that I can look around and see what's out there, for whatever that's worth," Sauter said. (Complete story)

Mayfield has only 13 starts this season and has yet to crack the top 20. His best finish is 22nd, at Kansas. In 416 starts, he has five wins, 48 top-five finishes and 96 top-10s.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity with Haas CNC Racing," Mayfield said in a team release. "Every indication is that this is a team with unlimited potential. The shop is state-of-the-art, the equipment is first rate, there is an outstanding relationship with Hendrick Motorsports here, and it's my challenge to make it all equal success on the track.

"I'm ready to see how far I can take it."

Mayfield posted his best points finish in 1998, when he was seventh driving the No. 12 Ford for Penske Racing South.

Green, who joined Haas before the 2006 season, has only three top-10 finishes in 32 starts this season, none since Loudon in July -- a span of 15 races. He finished his 68-race stint with the team with only five top-10s.