Ford Crew Chief of the Race Award
Martinsville Speedway, referred to by many as the “Paperclip” for it’s unique shape, was a wreck-fest to say the least during the running of the Subway 500. Stop seven of the chase for the Nextel Cup saw beaten and battered cars battle it out for track position. Through the mayhem, Mike Ford, crew chief for the No. 11 FedEx Freight Chevrolet team, played out a patient race strategy, waiting for the prime opportunity to strike. When the opportunity came, Ford lead his young driver, Denny Hamlin, through a calculated race strategy, gaining valuable track position when it counted, guiding Hamlin to a deserving sixth place finish. For his patient strategy and calculated race calls, Ford was awarded the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.

Starting from 30th position for the race was going to prove difficult for the No. 11 team. Passing at Martinsville is always tough so track position for drivers and crew chiefs becomes an all-important factor. When opportunity knocked on lap 214 during the eighth caution of the day, Ford instructed his driver to stay on the track and not pit, moving Hamlin from 30th to sixth. Hamlin was able to maintain his position with the front-runners avoiding most problems during the 21 cautions throughout the day and finished the race in the top ten, moving up one position in the Nextel Cup standings.

At the conclusion of the race, Hamlin gave credit to Ford for race strategy. “Pit strategy and patience always wins at Martinsville,” said Hamlin. “Mike had plenty of both. My car wouldn’t have been able to gain that kind of ground on the track under green, so that pit strategy really worked.”

“Sometimes you don’t have a car that can keep up with the front running Hendrick cars, so we needed to out think the competition on pit road,” said Ford of his team’s day in Martinsville. “Denny rode a smart race and showed a lot of patience all day long. Our stops were strong, and we had plenty of chances to dial the car in and we just kept getting better.”

The WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Year panel of judges recognized Ford’s patient strategy in Martinsville. Robbie Reiser, WYPALL* Wipers spokesmen, agreed Ford’s day was deserving for him to be awarded the crew chief of the race. “A lot of different strategies were being played out to gain track position,” said Reiser. “His team battled through a few problems and Mike was able to take advantage of the opportunities that came his way. It was a great day for them.”

As the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Ford received $1,000. Ford stands alone on top of the overall standing with five wins. Bob Osborne is currently second with fours wins. Robbie Reiser, Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus are third with three wins each, while Tony Eury Jr., Larry Carter and Donnie Wingo all have two wins apiece. Pat Tryson, Jimmy Elledge, Tony Gibson, Mike Nelson, Darian Grubb, Alan Gustafson, Chip Bolin and Ryan Pemberton each have one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Year.

Mayfield Replacing Green
Jeremy Mayfield will replace Jeff Green in the Haas CNC Racing No. 66 Chevrolet, effective immediately, team general manager Joe Custer said Monday morning. Mayfield also will join Scott Riggs in the driver lineup for next season but the alignment of the two drivers with car numbers in 2008 has not been determined, Custer said.

Green is 27th in the series points standings. "[Green] did a good job for us, and we appreciate everything he did," Custer said.

Mayfield had announced earlier this year that he would leave Bill Davis Racing, where he has struggled to qualify for races. His replacement in the No. 36 Bill Davis Racing team for this weekend at Atlanta has not been announced.

As far as the status of current Haas CNC Racing driver Johnny Sauter, Custer said Sauter (who is 31st in points) is under contract with the team and that "we're working through that" for 2008.

Getting Mayfield started now will allow him to work with crew chief Harold Holly before the end of the season.(scenedaily.com)

UPDATE On Mayfield
Haas CNC Racing announced today that Jeremy Mayfield will drive the team’s No. 66 NASCAR Nextel Cup entry for the remainder of the 2007 season, beginning this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mayfield will also drive for Haas CNC Racing during the 2008 Sprint Cup season although the car he will drive has not been determined.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity with Haas CNC Racing,” Mayfield said. “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,” he said. “I’m ready to see how far I can take it.”

“We’re very happy to welcome Jeremy Mayfield to Haas CNC Racing,” team general manager Joe Custer said. “Jeremy has a proven success record and we will be relying on his skill, experience, and leadership to improve our overall team performance. Jeremy’s not far removed from being a Chase contender and I know he’s motivated to get back to that level,” Custer said. “We’re confident in our equipment and Jeremy knows how to get it done, so this is a very exciting opportunity for us.”

Skinner-Benson To Fill In
Bill Davis Racing officials say Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson will share driving duties in the team's No. 36 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series entry for the remainder of the season.

Jeremy Mayfield has been driving for the team, but on Monday he announced plans to complete the season with Haas CNC Racing.

The BDR team is outside the top 35 in owners points, meaning that the pair will be forced to qualify based on speed for the race each week.