As a racing fan in general, and a Jeremy Mayfield fan in particular, I have to ask myself what Ray Evernham is thinking.  Evernham's 19 team has made the Chase for the Nextel Cup in each of the first two years of the new championship format.  In 2005, Mayfield had: 1 Win; 4 Top 5's; and 9 Top 10's; in 2004, Mayfield had: 1 Win; 5 Top 5's; and 13 Top 10's.  So far in 2006, Mayfield has not had a finish of fifteenth or better. 

How could the 19 team be performing so poorly, after two good (not great) years?  Look no further than team owner Ray Evernham.  When Dodge decided to get back into the sport and approached Evernham to spearhead the program, he was able to get veteran Bill Elliot to drive for him, and built the entire operation around him.  When Elliot retired, the ride went to youngster Kasey Kahne and his rookie year was an impressive run.  As the press and the women were consentrated on young, handsom Kahne, Mayfield was meanwhile carrying the organization by performing consistanly week after week.  After Kahne produced a disappointing sophmore effort and Mayfield again consistantly ran race after race, Evernham decided to "shake up the organization."

Kasey Kahne's ill performing team was shipped over to Jeremy Mayfield, and Mayfield's consistant team was sent over to Kahne.  The result?  So far in 2006, Kahne has:  2 Wins; 4 Top 5's; and 6 Top 10's while Mayfield is struggling.  Evernham rewarded Mayfiled's success with a sub-par team.  There is no chemistry.  Does Evernham think that the 9 team is more marketable than the 19 team?  Kasey Kahne will sell t-shirts and hats regardless of his stats, he is young and good looking.  Mayfield will never be the most popular driver on the circuit, but given the proper cars and support of a quality team surrounding him, he will compete and be succesful for years to come.

The next thing we will be reading is that Ray Evernham is upset with the performance of the 19 team and he has decided to release Mayfield of the driving duties and give a young up and coming driver an opportunity to drive for him.  It makes you wonder why Evernham would mess with the only bright spot of his organization from the last two seasons!