Mayfield Ready for Fresh Start

Following a 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup season filled with frustration, Jeremy Mayfield is anxious to make a fresh start in 2008. That opportunity will come when he takes the field for his Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying race Thursday behind the wheel of the No. 70 Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon Chevrolet Impala SS.

The Gatorade Duel 150 will be Mayfield’s fifth race with Haas CNC Racing but his first with new crew chief Dave Skog.

“Our team has a great deal of potential. The resources at the race shop and the support we get from Hendrick Motorsports are awesome,” Mayfield said. “Our cars are the best I’ve had in a long time and I’m positive we’re going to have a great season. We lacked some speed during our first practices and qualifying run here, but Dave and the team are on it and we should be good to go by race time,” Mayfield said.

“To carry the colors of Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon during this historic week at Daytona is a real honor. Junior Johnson is a NASCAR legend and to be associated with him during the 50th Anniversary of the Daytona 500 is thrilling, he added.”

Mayfield, who rolls off in the 12th position in Thursday’s first qualify race, has six prior starts in the Gatorade qualifying races, posting a best starting position of eighth (2002) and a best finish of 10th (2003).

The Gatorade Duel 150s will air live beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday on the SPEED television network and on MRN radio affiliates.