Mayfield Motorsports will field a No. 41 Toyota for J.J. Yeley in this weekend’s Sprint Showdown, the 40-lap qualifying race for the Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, with Shana Mayfield the owner of record following last weekend’s indefinite suspension of her husband, owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield, for a violation of NASCAR’s substance abuse policy.
The Mayfields plan to file her owner’s paperwork with NASCAR Competition on Tuesday morning, followed by the driver change. Crew chief Tony Furr and team manager Bobby Wooten along with their crew members compiled a “short list” of candidates Monday morning and when the Mayfields arrived, they met with the team and then, Yeley, before making their final decision. NASCAR.com
“It’s going to be nice,” Yeley said of the chance to race for Mayfield Motorsports. “I’ve been in the car; I’ve been fitted [in a seat]. I’m just looking forward to the opportunity.
“These guys here, it’s probably more of a throwback to what I’ve been used to most of my racing career – an underdog team with a handful of guys that have the heart to win championships and win races. … It’s been too long since I’ve been in something, and I’m ready to get back at it.”
“The way the sport has changed so dramatically, there’s probably more drivers that have had the fear of what I’m going through [having been unemployed] versus guys that are really solid and secure in this sport,” Yeley said. “They’re a great opportunity. They’re a good team.
“They’re not doing start-and-park, which I’ve been trying to avoid since I left Hall of Fame Racing. That’s the most important thing, getting with somebody that wants to go out and race and perform and get better versus showing up for a little bit of a paycheck, calling it a day and going home.”
With the No. 41 not guaranteed a spot in the field by virtue of its 44th-place position in owners points, Yeley will have to qualify for any additional races on speed.
“It’s going to be tough,” Yeley said. “The biggest thing is focusing on qualifying. If you don’t make the race, it doesn’t matter how good a race car you have.” Scene Daily
Shana Mayfield said her team is intact since Mayfield got the news of a positive result for “a drug of concern” in a random test given on Friday of the Richmond race weekend, followed by his “B sample,” on Mayfield’s request, also testing positive.
Mayfield said the team is staunchly backing her husband, who has raced in the Cup Series since 1993, as he attempts reinstatement.
“Everybody’s been real supportive, but the mood’s kind of somber, too, because Jeremy’s been the leader, he’s been the guy that’s created this deal and he’s the heart and soul of this team,” Shana said after spending the better part of Monday afternoon at the team’s shop. “I think a lot of people now are more determined to do a good job and to make him proud—to step up and take a little more responsibility and fill that void while Jeremy’s not there.” NASCAR.com
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