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When Jeremy Mayfield (left) and Scott Riggs were photographed together in 2006,
Riggs
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CONCORD, N.C.--Reunited at Haas CNC Racing, former teammates Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs no longer have to waste time and energy worrying about
For the first five races this season, neither even has to worry about qualifying, since both drivers inherited teams that finished 2007 inside the top-35 in points.
All they have to do is get to the front of the pack as quickly as possible.
"This is as good a race team as there is anywhere. As far as resources, man, you can't beat it. It might not take long to show this team is capable of winning races," Mayfield said yesterday during a morning stop on the annual NASCAR Sprint Media Tour.
"It's up to us to utilize our resources. If we don't utilize them, it's our fault. If it doesn't help us, it's our fault. If we don't win races, it's our fault. It's not [team owner] Gene Haas' fault. It's not Haas Automation's fault. It's our fault because we can do it."
That's tough talk, considering both of Haas' new drivers endured 2007 seasons that could best be described as disastrous.
Mayfield, 38, signed on to lead a new Toyota team for Bill Davis Racing last year, but the operation was hampered by sponsorship issues more than a month before the season-opening Daytona 500.
Forced to qualify his way into the field from the first race, Mayfield's season never really got off the ground. He made only 17 starts and was 45th in points when he and Davis mutually agreed to part company with four races remaining.
He promptly joined Haas CNC, however, and signed a deal to replace Johnny Sauter in the No. 70 Chevrolet now sponsored by Haas Automation.
"I felt like when New Year's Eve came and went, I was a new man," Mayfield said. "Last year is over. I have a new start, a new beginning, and this is all I ever wanted."
Ditto for Riggs, who admitted he felt like a third wheel behind popular drivers Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler while competing for Gillett Evernham Racing.
"I think they sort of looked at us as we were the newest team," Riggs said. "I did a lot of things behind the scenes. There was a lot of testing I did that was overlooked. I don't want a pat on the back, just give me the same opportunity as everyone else.
"I think Jeremy and myself are being put on very equal playing fields. We work together as a team, not as two teams."
Coming off a strong 2006 campaign, Riggs was expected to make a bid for the Chase last year. But just as the entire Evernham organization struggled to get a handle on NASCAR's next-generation car, Riggs fell into a deep hole early and couldn't dig his way out.
He made his final start for Evernham at Texas, where he finished 13th, then left with two events remaining on the schedule. Eventually, he joined Haas and took over for Jeff Green in the No. 66.
While the two Haas cars finished last season 30th and 32nd, respectively, both Mayfield and Riggs believe their partnership and the addition of new personnel throughout the organization will make a difference.
"I don't think there's any question about me or Jeremy, knowing what we want in a race car, knowing how we need to be strong leaders for our team and set good examples," Riggs said.
"I think the world of Johnny [Sauter] and Jeff [Green], but I don't know if they had the kind of relationship that me and Jeremy are able to come in with right off the bat. I think we'll come in and work together better than any two guys they've had on board so far."
COMPANY MAN
Gillett Evernham Racing chief executive Ray Evernham knew he wouldn't endear himself to many Dodge dealers yesterday by acknowledging that he recently bought a car at a dealership owned by his former boss.
Not only did Evernham opt for a custom BMW sports car instead of a Dodge product, he purchased it from a man--Rick Hendrick--whose Chevrolet-powered NASCAR empire has tormented Dodge and almost everyone else in the Sprint Cup Series for the past several years.
"All the years I worked for him, I never bought a car from him," said Evernham, who has been affiliated with Dodge since he resigned as Jeff Gordon's crew chief and left Hendrick Motorsports to start up his own NASCAR operation.
"He made buying a car a pleasurable experience. And it wasn't one of those where, the boss called and said 'Take care of this guy,' because the first time, I sent people down there who they wouldn't even know. It's just easy to see why he is so successful."
While Evernham was talking, Gillett Evernham co-owner Alex Gillett walked by and stopped near a pack of reporters surrounding Evernham's interview podium.
Evernham spotted Gillett and briefly recounted the story about buying a car. When Gillett, whose family's diverse business holdings include several car dealerships, inquired about the make of his new car, Evernham hesitated.
"Do you sell BMWs?" he asked.
Gillett nodded and smiled, prompting laughter from both Evernham and the assembled reporters.
"Hell of a partner, guys," Gillett said with a chuckle.
Jim McConnell: 540/374-5444
Email: jmcconnell@freelancestar.com
